Urinary retention following routine neurosurgical spine procedures.
BACKGROUND
The rate and duration of urinary retention after routine cervical and lumbar spine procedures were studied.


METHODS
Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors related to urinary retention (age, sex, duration of operation, medications, Foley use, hospital stay, and cost) were analyzed in a retrospective review of 503 patients' charts.


RESULTS
Urinary retention occurred 38% of the time following cervical and lumbar spine procedures. Advanced age and preoperative beta blockers contributed to a higher incidence of urinary retention. Preoperative anti-inflammatory medications and narcotic analgesics reduced the frequency of urinary retention. The duration of urinary retention was prolonged in older patients and patients who underwent intraoperative Foley catheterization. Urinary retention contributed to longer hospitalization and increased hospital costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Transient urinary retention is a common complication of routine neurosurgical spine procedures that prolongs hospital stays and increases the costs of hospitalization.
Boulis
N M
NM
Section of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA.
Mian
F S
FS
Rodriguez
D
D
Cho
E
E
Hoff
J T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control