title: Cholinergic crisis following treatment of postoperative urinary retention with distigmine bromide.
abstract: Distigmine bromide is a long-acting anticholinesterase, available for the treatment of postoperative urinary retention. Its effectiveness is unproven and administration may be hazardous. We describe a case in which oral distigmine bromide was used for postoperative retention, resulting in a potentially life-threatening 'cholinergic crisis'. We review the literature and conclude that the use of oral distigmine bromide in postoperative urinary retention is not justified.
authors.affiliation: Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, Wales.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hameed
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Charles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D011726:Pyridinium Compounds