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 antiinflammatory 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. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.