Life-threatening urinary retention after haemorrhoidectomy and internal sphincterotomy.
Postoperative urinary retention (UR) is a common complication following haemorrhoidectomy. This report presents a female patient who developed long-lasting UR after haemorrhoidectomy and internal sphincterotomy, which progressed to renal failure. The precipitating cause was represented by a non-healing anal ulcer and excruciating anal pain at evacuation. An unhealed anal wound, an inappropriate low-fibre diet, and excruciating anal pain commonly represent the key factors initiating the sequence ending into UR. History, presentation, diagnostic work-up, and treatment for this patient are described.
Basso
L
L
Coloproctology Unit, Villa Claudia Hospital, Via Flaminia Nuova 280, I-00191 Rome, Italy. lbasso@eircom.net
Bernardi
C
C
Ayabaca
S
S
Marin
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods