Postoperative Urinary Retention in Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Procedures: Unilateral versus Bilateral Spinal Anesthesia.

Background: The incidence of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) may also vary based on the type of anesthesia provided to the patient. This study aims to evaluate the occurrence of POUR developing following unilateral and bilateral spinal anesthesia.

Methods: The analysis was summarized by frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The demographic data and the contributing factors between the two groups were analyzed by Student's t-test. The symptoms of retention were compared using the Chi-square test, and the rescue intervention used between the two groups was studied using the Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was established with P < 0.05.

Results: The patients were sorted into two groups: Unilateral and bilateral spinal anesthesia groups. Two patients who underwent orthopedic procedures under unilateral spinal anesthesia and eight patients under bilateral spinal anesthesia developed POUR. The mean age, duration of surgery, the intravenous fluids administered, symptoms of retention, need for rescue intervention, and the presentation of symptoms of retention were nil significant between the two groups. The presentation of symptoms of retention was significant with respect to the time taken to void in both the groups.

Conclusion: There is a similar proportion of occurrence of POUR between unilateral and bilateral spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing orthopedic procedures.