High rates of postoperative urinary retention following primary total hip replacement performed under combined general and spinal anaesthesia with intrathecal opiate.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) occurs frequently following hip replacement.

METHODS: 94 consecutive primary hip arthroplasty patients were assessed prospectively for POUR. 80 patients followed our anaesthesia protocol with combined general and spinal anaesthesia using bupivacaine and intrathecal diamorphine.

RESULTS: 29 instances of POUR with higher rates in men and younger patients (under-50s), independent of either pre-existing renal impairment or opiate strength. POUR was observed to increase length of stay by 1.6 days.

CONCLUSIONS: We report a 36% overall rate of POUR. Males demonstrated a 3-fold increased risk. Patients should be counselled pre-operatively on the risk of urinary retention.