Treatment of urinary retention in patients with bladder cancer

Urinary retention refers to the retention of urine in a full bladder and the inability to discharge it on its own. As the tumor continues to grow and worsen, patients with advanced bladder cancer may experience varying degrees of urinary retention symptoms. Effective treatment should be taken in a timely manner to avoid worsening of the condition.

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture therapy has a long history in China. It has a certain therapeutic effect on urinary retention caused by detrusor muscle weakness after postoperative anesthesia. Generally, acupuncture points such as Hegu, Zhongji, Sanyinjiao, and Zusanli are used to stimulate urination. Neostigmine acupuncture injection can also be used, which has a more obvious effect.

2. Intermittent self-cleaning catheterization

Intermittent self-cleaning catheterization can be used for patients with urinary retention due to detrusor weakness after prostatectomy, and can also be used appropriately for patients who have poor response to other treatments after bladder cancer surgery. Its biggest advantage is that it does not require external devices, and can maintain sexual activity. It also allows patients to try to urinate independently, greatly improving the quality of life of patients, and it is not easy to cause urinary tract infection.

3. Catheterization

For patients with bladder cancer and urinary tract obstruction or urinary retention caused by diseases such as neurogenic bladder, catheterization can be selectively used to urinate according to the patient's condition, and a catheter can be inserted through the urethra to decompress the bladder. Strictly follow the principle of aseptic treatment and avoid urinary tract damage. If the patient is suspected of urethral damage, retrograde urethrography must be performed before inserting the catheter.