A brief literature search and clinical audit of postoperative urinary retention following total joint replacement

Summary 

This search highlights the limited evidence and some of the associated factors which may cause postoperative urinary retention to develop. Supporting some of the evidence reviewed are local audit figures carried out to establish the incidence of catheterisation within a 9-month period in patients following primary total hip and knee replacements. Over this period 13 (1.5%) total knee replacement patients and 23 (3%). of total hip replacement were catheterised. The potential use of bladder scanners is explored. There this is a need for further research into all associated factors in postoperative urinary retention to be explored in greater depth.

Keywords: Urinary retention, Orthopaedic surgery, Urinary catheterisation, Urinary tract infection, Bladder scanners