Urinary retention following lower limb arthroplasty: analysis of predictive factors and review of literature.

Acute urinary retention is a common complication after lower limb arthroplasty. The aim of our study was to assess whether the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and other patient related factors could predict the likelihood of patients developing urinary retention after lower limb arthroplasty. We have also reviewed the literature on this subject. This is a prospective study of 102 male patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty. Data collected included age, IPSS, type of operation, type of anaesthesia and development of acute urinary retention in the immediate postoperative period. Thirty-one patients (30.4%) developed acute urinary retention. Of all the parameters studied, age was the only factor that correlated significantly with development of urinary retention. The risk factors for progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia could all be considered as factors for the development of this complication. However, apart from age more than 70 years, it is not practical to use the other parameters.