Pre-operative Prophylactic Tamsulosin for the Prevention of Postoperative Urinary Retention: A Single Centre, Prospective Case Control Study

Background: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common occurrence following surgery. The use of alpha‑blockers, such as tamsulosin, has benefited many patients with a history of obstructive uropathy by decreasing lower urinary tract symptoms such as distension, infections, and stricture formation, as well as the incidence of POUR. This study was undertaken to examine the prophylactic effects of tamsulosin in the prevention of POUR following spinal anaesthesia. Methods: A total of 100 patients who underwent elective surgery under spinal anesthesia were included in this study. The patients were randomly allocated into two Groups. The Group I received 0.4mg of tamsulosin orally. Patients in Group II received a placebo. All patients were closely followed for 24 hours postoperatively and their episodes of urinary retentions were recorded Results: Of the 50 patients given tamsulosin, 4 (8 %) developed POUR compared to 17 (34 %) from the control group (p = 0.026). In the tamsulosin group, 2 (4 %) patients and 7 (14 %) patients in the control group required catheterization postoperatively (p= 0.159). Conclusion: The use of prophylactic tamsulosin can possibly reduce the incidence of urinary retention and the need for catheterization after elective surgical procedures under spinal anaesthesia.