Failure to pass urine is usually seen in patients with urinary retention. Due to urinary retention, the bladder is overfilled with urine, causing distension of the bladder as well as the lower abdomen, and the symptom of not being able to pass urine. In this case, urgent urological management is required, and a catheter can be left in place to drain the urine. If the catheter is successful, the urine is often eliminated through the catheter and the patient’s symptoms are relieved. If the catheter fails, the patient’s symptoms will continue to worsen, and a suprapubic cystostomy can be used to drain the urine. If acute urinary retention is caused by prostate enlargement, it is usually treated surgically after the symptoms have subsided.