Micturition is a complex process involving multiple afferent and efferent neural pathways, reflexes, and central and peripheral neurotransmitters. Moreover, the perioperative period includes several events that may interrupt this process and promote the development of urinary retention. This article discusses the effect of anesthetics and analgesics on postoperative bladder function. Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is common after anesthesia and surgery.
Although several precautions are taken by surgeons and anesthetists, certain anesthetic and analgesic modalities, particularly spinal anesthesia with long-acting local anesthetics and epidural analgesia, promote the development of urinary retention. General Anesthetic Agents General anesthetic agents cause bladder atony by interfering with the autonomic nervous system. Animal studies have demonstrated that sedative-hypnotic…
