ABSTRACT
Background : Postoperative Urinary Retention (POUR) is common after regional anaesthesia with a reported incidence between 5% and 70%. POUR can lead to significant morbidity with additional surprise and mental trauma to the patient when unwarned. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of POUR in male patients undergoing Surgery under Spinal Anaesthesia and to study the risk factors related to it. Methods : 692 male patients were analysed prospectively for the need for catheterisation which was defined as 搕he inability to void in the immediate Postoperative period with accompanying discomfort and a palpable Bladder.� All such patients were catheterised as an emergency. A record was made about the mean age, surgical condition, comorbidities, duration of Surgery, use of intra-operative sedatives, intra-operative fluid infused and International Prostate System Score (IPSS). Results : The overall mean age of patients with POUR was 46 years. The incidence of POUR was highest among Perianal Surgeries ie, 52/70 (13%) followed by Hernia Surgeries, 18/70 (6.3%). An appreciable reduction was observed in urinary retention after administration of intra-operative sedatives (p=0.022) and lower IPSS (p=0.001). Factors such as age, intra-operative fluid administration, duration of Surgery and previous history of Diabetes did not reach statistical significance as being predictive of urinary retention. Conclusion : An IPSS greater than 7 increases the risk of Postoperative Urinary Retention while the use of intraoperative Sedative in combination with Spinal Anaesthesia decreases the risk. In high-risk patients undergoing perianal procedures, pre-operative patient counselling about the possibility of Postprocedure retention is recommended.