Postoperative urinary retention in benign inguinal and anorectal operations

Postoperative urinary retention is the most common complication after elective inguinal and anorectal surgical procedures. The risk factors identified in the literature were inconsistent. We conducted this study to identify independent risk factors for postoperative urinary retention and to develop a model for predicting urinary retention. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case-control study of medical records of patients who underwent elective benign inguinal and perianal operations at Siriraj Hospital between 2006 and 2008 was done. The risk factors identified from the univariate analyses (χ²-test and t-test) were examined together in a logistic regression analysis. Results: We reviewed 77 records of patients with urinary retention and 168 records of patients with no urinary retention. We identified three independent risk factors for postoperative urinary retention, including spinal anaesthesia (odds ratio: 4.41), limitation of activity (odds ratio: 6.47) and pain score (odds ratio: 1.80). We developed a model for making prediction of postoperative urinary retention, based on these three variables. Conclusion: To avoid postoperative urinary retention, a patient who receives an inguinal or perianal operation should avoid spinal anaesthesia, and have early ambulation and effective pain control.