Postoperative Urinary Retention After General Surgical Procedures: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Short-Term Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Urology
• General Surgery
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication following general surgery.
• Undiagnosed POUR can lead to bladder overdistension, infections, and prolonged hospital stays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of POUR in general surgical patients.
• To identify risk factors associated with POUR.
• To evaluate the short-term outcomes of POUR.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study of 220 adult patients undergoing general surgery.
• Exclusion criteria included pre-existing urinary issues.
• POUR defined as failure to void 6-8 hours post-surgery with symptoms or requiring catheterization.

Main Results:

• POUR incidence was 14.5% (32 patients).
• Risk factors included advanced age (>60), male sex, diabetes, lower urinary tract symptoms, spinal anesthesia, prolonged surgery (>90 min), high fluid volume (>1500 mL), and opioid use.
• POUR patients experienced higher rates of re-catheterization, UTIs, delayed mobilization, and longer hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• POUR is a significant postoperative complication in general surgery.
• Key risk factors identified include age, sex, comorbidities, anesthesia type, surgery duration, fluid management, and pain medication.
• Preoperative assessment and early monitoring are crucial for managing POUR and improving patient recovery.