title: Post-operative urinary retention in a general surgical population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Post-operative urine retention is a frequent and serious complication. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of post-operative urinary retention in a general surgical population and to identify the perioperative risk factors for developing this condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from 334 consecutive adult surgical patients, operated without a urethral catheter placed from 1 June to 13 July 2006. A bladder scan was performed within 30 min of arrival to the recovery ward, in case of bladder symptoms, and before referral to the surgical ward. Post-operative urinary retention was defined as a bladder volume above 600 ml and insufficient voiding within 30 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age (SD) was 58.6 years (± 16.6). One hundred and eighteen men (35.3%) and 216 women (64.7%) were included. The prevalence of post-operative urinary retention was 4.8%. Significant independent risk factors were diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.760-19.882) and administration of atropine intraoperatively (odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.005-34.680).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of developing post-operative urinary retention is approximately 5% in the present general surgical population studied, and co-existing diabetes mellitus and administration of atropine intraoperatively are pre-disposing factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark. bjdr@heh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dreijer
authors.forename: Morten H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bartholdy
mesh_terms: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D001285:Atropine