Comparison of rapid versus slow decompression of the distended urinary bladder.

Abstract

Experiments are described showing that urinary retention with its associated increased intravesical pressure and overstretching of the bladder wall can lead to loss of capillary and tissue integrity. Our findings indicate that the severity of damage to the bladder wall prior to catheterization determines the degree of hemorrhage after bladder decompression and not the rate of emptying.