Impact of Percutaneous Endoscopic Decompression Versus Open Laminectomy on Postoperative Acute Urinary Retention: A...

Background/Objectives: To compare the incidence of postoperative acute urinary retention (AUR) between traditional open laminectomy and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar surgery (PELS) using a large-scale real-world database, with specific stratification by urologic status, age, and sex. Methods: A retrospective, propensity score-matched analysis was conducted using the TriNetX Global Health Research Network (2015-2024). Adult patients undergoing PELS were compared to those undergoing open laminectomy. To rule out the confounding effect of routine intraoperative catheterization, the primary outcome was defined as de novo AUR occurring between 24 h and 3 months postoperatively. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), females, and age-stratified cohorts (<70 vs. ≥70 years). This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB/REC: CE25727C) and conducted under a waiver of informed consent. Results: In the matched cohorts of non-BPH males, females, and patients aged < 70 years, PELS was associated with a statistically significant reduction in AUR risk (Hazard Ratios: 0.445, 0.649, and 0.403, respectively) compared to open surgery. However, in males with BPH, the protective benefit of the endoscopic technique was attenuated and did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0744), suggesting the study was underpowered for this subgroup or that baseline obstruction remains a dominant risk factor. Conclusions: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar surgery was associated with a significantly lower risk of postoperative AUR compared to open laminectomy, particularly in patients without preexisting urologic obstruction. This benefit is likely attributable to minimized tissue trauma and the anti-inflammatory effects of continuous saline irrigation. However, in patients with BPH, baseline pathology outweighs surgical factors, necessitating medical prophylaxis regardless of the surgical approach.