title: Urinary retention presenting as complete bowel obstruction.
abstract: A 59-year-old male was admitted to hospital for clinical and radiological signs of large bowel obstruction with clinical signs of generalized peritonitis. As such, he was scheduled to undergo emergency exploratory laparotomy. During preoperative preparation, over 2000 mL of urine was obtained after catheterization. We suggested re-evaluation, and after several hours the symptoms resolved. Although rare, pressure from the distended bladder due to urinary retention can cause complete bowel obstruction and signs of peritonitis. If a large volume of urine is obtained during preoperative preparation for mechanical bowel obstruction, it is recommended to re-evaluate the patient to avoid unnecessary surgery and imaging studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Urology, Zabok General Hospital, Zabok, Croatia;
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papeš
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Urology, Zabok General Hospital, Zabok, Croatia;
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altarac
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Center Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia;
authors.forename: Nuhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arslani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Urology and Department of Trauma Surgery, Zabok General Hospital, Zabok, Croatia.
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rajković