Post-operative Urinary Dysfunction Following Shoulder Surgery: Rates and Risk Factors

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Urology
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Post-operative urinary retention (POUR) is a known complication of orthopaedic surgery.
• Literature on POUR after shoulder surgery is limited compared to hip and knee procedures.
• This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding POUR in shoulder surgery patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of urinary dysfunction after shoulder surgery.
• To identify risk factors associated with post-operative urinary dysfunction.
• To evaluate the utility of the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study at a single institution.
• Included patients over 50 undergoing shoulder surgery (open or arthroscopic).
• Utilized the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score pre- and post-operatively to assess urinary dysfunction.

Main Results:

• Nearly half (46.4%) of patients experienced worsened urinary function post-operatively.
• Worse pre-operative AUA scores significantly correlated with worse post-operative scores.
• Male patients with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) showed a statistically significant increased risk of urinary dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Worsening urinary function is a frequent occurrence following shoulder surgery.
• The AUA score can identify patients at risk for and track changes in urinary dysfunction.
• Prophylactic strategies and further research are warranted, especially for high-risk groups like men with BPH.