Ambulatory surgical hemorrhoidectomy--a solution to postoperative urinary retention?
OBJECTIVE
The most frequent complication of surgical hemorrhoidectomy is urinary retention. This study evaluates the incidence of urinary retention in a series of patients undergoing surgical hemorrhoidectomy in an ambulatory setting.


METHODS
The records of all patients undergoing anorectal surgical operative procedures during the calendar year 1990 were reviewed, with particular emphasis on urinary retention and other postoperative complications.


RESULTS
Of 201 patients undergoing full surgical hemorrhoidectomy by Colon and Rectal Clinic, 91 percent had operations performed on an ambulatory basis (discharge less than four hours following surgery). Of these 190 patients, only 1 (0.53 percent) required urinary catheterization during the postoperative period.


CONCLUSIONS
The ambulatory setting, when combined with careful patient education and perioperative fluid restriction, allows surgical hemorrhoidectomy to be performed with a very low incidence of urinary retention to the benefit of both patient and surgeon.
Hoff
S D
SD
University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
Bailey
H R
HR
Butts
D R
DR
Max
E
E
Smith
K W
KW
Zamora
L F
LF
Skakun
G B
GB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*