Urinary retention in early urinary catheter removal after colorectal surgery

Am J Surg. 2018 May;215(5):949-952. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.01.032. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Abstract

Background: High urinary infection (UTI) rate (12%) for our rectal surgery prompted practice change to early catheter removal (postoperative day 2) and prophylactic tamsulosin. Here we report urinary retention (UR) and UTI after this change.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study in male patients 50+ years undergoing elective colorectal surgery from July 2015 to July 2017. Multivariate regression was used to determine risk factors for urinary retention.

Results: 157 patients, 57 without and 100 with tamsulosin had UR 11.46% and UTI 5.13%. Of all potential risk factors, ileus (OR 5.50, 95% CI: 1.86-16.24) was an independent risk factor for urinary retention.

Conclusions: Urinary retention of 11% after colorectal resection is within literature range and associated with post-operative ileus. Tamsulosin did not affect UR in our small study sample. Early catheter removal was associated with decreased UTI rate.

Keywords: Alpha blocker; Colorectal surgery; Tamsulosin; Urinary catheter; Urinary retention; Urinary tract infection.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colorectal Surgery*
  • Device Removal*
  • Humans
  • Ileus / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Urinary Catheters*
  • Urinary Retention / etiology*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / prevention & control