Background: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common entity following surgery, particularly after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Here the intent is to investigate the incidence of POUR in all comers at a single institution following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair at our institution from January 2010 through December 2013 was performed. POUR was defined as the inability to spontaneously urinate following surgery, requiring straight catheterization or placement of a Foley catheter. Perioperative data including narcotic use, operative time, type of mesh, and intraoperative fluid use were also recorded for each patient.

Results: A total of 346 patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in the specified time period, 340 patients were included in this study. The incidence of POUR after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair at our institution was 8.2 % (n = 28) with the most common presentation of POUR being failure to void (n = 23). Postoperative narcotic use of 6.5 mg or greater of morphine or morphine equivalent was associated with higher risk of POUR via ROC analysis (OR 2.5, 95 % CI 1.2-5.6, p = 0.025). In univariate analysis, age greater than 50 years was also a risk factor for developing POUR (OR 2.8, 95 % CI 1.2-6.4, p = 0.02). Factors not found to be significant included intraoperative IV fluids, history of BPH, unilateral versus bilateral repair, and preoperative void time in relation to surgery start.

Conclusions: Minimizing postoperative narcotic medications may reduce the risk of developing POUR after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs. If possible surgeons should consider non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, or regional anesthetic blocks to minimize postoperative narcotic requirements.