• Ching-Chung Liang, Shuenn-Dhy Chang, Shu-Yam Wong, Yao-Lung Chang, and Po-Jen Cheng.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. ccjoliang@cgmh.org.tw
• J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Res. 2010 Oct 1;36(5):991-5.

AimVarious analgesics and administration methods are used to provide women undergoing cesarean delivery pain relief after surgery. We compared three methods of postoperative analgesia regarding the incidence of postpartum urinary retention (PUR) in primiparous women undergoing elective cesarean delivery.MethodsWe estimated post-void residual bladder volume after the first postpartum micturition among 150 parturient women. Risk factors stratified for PUR defined by 150-mL post-void residual bladder volume were analyzed. Obstetric parameters and prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms after surgery were compared among three groups of parturient women given different postoperative analgesia: epidural bolus morphine (EBM), patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with ropivacaine-fentanyl, and intramuscular pethidine.ResultsThe incidence of PUR was higher in the group given EBM (33.3%) than the groups receiving ropivacaine-fentanyl by PCEA (15%) or intramuscular pethidine (16.7%) (P = 0.038). Eighteen (12%) parturient women needed bladder catheterization to resolve their urinary retention at 1 day postpartum but all achieved spontaneous micturition prior to hospital discharge. The need for catheterization was also increased in the group with EBM (21.7%) in comparison with the other two groups (6.7% and 3.3%, respectively, P = 0.011). At the 3-month follow up, six women (4%) had obstructive voiding problems and seven women (4.7%) had irritating voiding problems. At the 1-year follow up, only one woman in the EBM group had incomplete emptying and another in the PCEA group had urinary incontinence.ConclusionEpidural analgesia with morphine was significantly associated with post-cesarean urinary retention. Nonetheless, it was not detrimental to later urinary function.© 2010 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2010 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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