Objective To compare three methods for a trial of micturition (TOM) (t
he midnight removal of the catheter, dawn removal, and a new infusion
method) in a randomized prospective study, Patients and methods A tota
l of 118 consecutive patients who had undergone transurethral resectio
n of the prostate (TURF) or bladder neck incision (BNI) underwent TOM
by one of the three methods. In the infusion method, the bladder was f
illed at a fast-drip rate via the catheter from a bag of normal saline
connected by an intravenous supply set. The catheter was then removed
, the patient voided and the volume was measured. From the volume of s
aline remaining, it was possible to calculate the residual volume in t
he patient, Results The infusion TOM took a mean 13 h less than the ot
her two methods, which were statistically indistinguishable. Conclusio
n The infusion TOM is safe and simple, is quick to carry out and can b
e performed at any time, It establishes the completeness of bladder em
ptying, which helps in the assessment of voiding.