Predictors of postoperative urinary retention

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Anesthesiology
• Surgical Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Postoperative urinary retention (PUR) is a common complication following surgery.
• PUR necessitates urinary tract instrumentation, leading to increased healthcare costs and patient morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of PUR in a diverse surgical inpatient population.
• To identify risk factors associated with the development of PUR.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 176 adult surgical inpatients (excluding those with intraoperative catheterization, epidural anesthesia, or urologic procedures).
• Bladder volumes were assessed using ultrasound at three intervals: pre-operative, post-recovery unit arrival, and pre-ward transfer.
• PUR was defined as the need for catheterization during hospitalization.

Main Results:

• The overall incidence of PUR was 5.7% (10 out of 176 patients).
• Advanced patient age (P = 0.0292) and increased postoperative bladder volume (P = 0.0246) were significantly associated with PUR.
• Preoperative bladder volume, intraoperative fluid volume, and operative time were not statistically significant predictors of PUR.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative urinary retention is linked to elevated bladder volumes upon recovery room arrival.
• Identifying patients at risk for PUR may help reduce associated complications like urinary tract infections.
• Further prospective research is warranted to validate these findings and explore preventative strategies.