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Post-Operative Urinary Retention (POUR)

  • Publish Date: Posted about 5 years ago
  • Author:by Leanne Howell

Anesthesiology 2009; 110:1139–57 Copyright © 2009, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Postoperative Urinary Retention Anesthetic and Perioperative Considerations

Gabriele Baldini, M.D.,* Hema Bagry, M.D., F.R.C.A., F.R.C.P.C.,* Armen Aprikian, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.,† Franco Carli, M.D., M.Phil., F.R.C.A., F.R.C.P.C.‡ 

  • This is an informative article about Post-Operative Urinary Retention (POUR) which many surgical nurses will be all too familiar with!

  • It details the anatomy and physiology of the bladder and the mechanism of micturition (passing urine!)

  • How to diagnose POUR:

    • Clinical Examination

    • Ultrasound scan of the bladder

    • Bladder catheterisation

  • Factors that increase the likelihood of developing POUR:

    • Age and gender

    • Comorbidities

    • Anaesthetic medications

    • Intravenous fluids

    • Duration of surgery

    • Type of anaesthetic

  • Complications associated with POUR

    • Autonomic response

    • Infection

    • Bladder overdistension

  • Management of POUR

    • Looking at prevention and when to use catheterisation