The association between regional anesthesia and acute postoperative urinary retention in women undergoing outpatient midurethral sling procedures.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to estimate the association between regional anesthesia and acute postoperative urinary retention in women undergoing outpatient midurethral sling procedures.

STUDY

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing outpatient midurethral sling procedures. Exposure was defined as the type of anesthesia, categorized as regional (spinal or combined spinal/epidural) or nonregional (general endotracheal, monitored anesthesia care with sedation, or local). The outcome, acute postoperative urinary retention, was defined as a failed voiding trial prior to discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 131 women met our inclusion criteria. Forty-two women (32%) had regional anesthesia and 89 (68%) women had non-regional anesthesia. Overall, 48 women (36.6%) had acute postoperative urinary retention. Women who had regional anesthesia had an increased odds (adjusted odds ratio, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-10.2) of acute postoperative urinary retention compared with women receiving nonregional anesthesia.

CONCLUSION

Regional anesthesia is a risk factor for acute postoperative urinary retention following outpatient midurethral slings.