Postoperative urinary retention (POUR): A narrative review.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Anesthesiology
• Surgical Patient Care

Background:

• Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is the inability to void despite a full bladder after surgery.
• POUR can lead to complications such as delirium, pain, extended hospital stays, and impaired bladder function.
• Factors influencing POUR include patient comorbidities, surgical procedure type, and anesthesia used.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the definition, incidence, diagnosis, and management of postoperative urinary retention.
• To highlight the importance of identifying and modifying pre-operative risk factors for POUR prevention.
• To underscore the need for further research into optimal bladder catheterization strategies for POUR treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on postoperative urinary retention.
• Analysis of diagnostic methods including clinical examination, bladder catheterization need, and ultrasonography.
• Examination of current prevention strategies and standard treatment approaches.

Main Results:

• POUR incidence ranges widely from 5% to 70%.
• Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, bladder catheterization, and ultrasound.
• Prevention focuses on mitigating pre-operative risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Effective prevention of POUR involves proactive identification and management of patient risk factors.
• While bladder catheterization is standard treatment, further research is needed to define optimal indications, volume thresholds, and duration.
• Addressing POUR is essential for improving surgical patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens.