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What Causes Urinary Retention After A Lap Cholecystetomy?
Question: Hello. Two and a half weeks ago I was a health and active 47 year old man of normal body weight and good muscle tone who had no medical episodes in over 20 years.
Approximately 3 months ago I experienced one episode of what was diagnosed by CT as Gallbladder Colic and I was advised to have a Lap XXXXXXX The surgeon also recommended repair of an approximately 3 mm umbilical hernia. Out of an abundance of caution, I stupidly agreed.
The Lap Chole was un-eventful but the umbilical hernia unexplainably blew the day of surgery. I also experienced Urinary Retention for which a Foley Catheter was utilized for approximately 12 hours. After removal, there were no urinary issues.
In preparation for repeat umbilical hernia surgery approximately 12 days after the first surgery, I was prescribed .4mg of FlowMax the day prior to surgery and each day after. I experienced an uncomfortable feeling deep below my scrotum the morning of surgery which was discounted by my medical team.
After repeat surgery (successful I hope!), with much less general anesthesia (no lap chole), I again experienced Urinary Retention resulting in a Foley Catheter for about 12 hours. This catheter was extremely painful even when lying total flat and still. It was much more painful than the first catheter or either the first or second abdominal surgery. Removal was the worst pain I have ever experienced. My ability to urinate post catheter at all was delayed approximately 12 more hours with one straight catheter required.
4 day post the second surgery, I experienced retrograde ejaculation (first ever) and discontinued the use of FlowMax.
Now, day 5 post surgery, my urine steam continues to starts and stops, delay starting, frequent urination and continued dull burning pain all the time deep under my scrotum. I am schedule to see an Urologist in 3 days.
Questions:
Why did I have urinary retention following each surgery? Anesthesia?
Why was the second foley so much more painful?
The FlowMax was the only med change between the first and second surgery. Is it responsible for my pain/issues?
Why have I not resumed normal urination as I did following the first surgery/catheter?
Was the uncomfortable feeling deep below my scrotum the morning of surgery from the FlowMax? What is it?
Why the retrograde ejaculation?
Could the foley or the FlowMax have damaged my bladder/prostate muscles to cause these issues?
What test are available to determine what‘s wrong?
When can I expect my urination and sex life to return to normal?
What questions should I ask the Urologist in three days?
Approximately 3 months ago I experienced one episode of what was diagnosed by CT as Gallbladder Colic and I was advised to have a Lap XXXXXXX The surgeon also recommended repair of an approximately 3 mm umbilical hernia. Out of an abundance of caution, I stupidly agreed.
The Lap Chole was un-eventful but the umbilical hernia unexplainably blew the day of surgery. I also experienced Urinary Retention for which a Foley Catheter was utilized for approximately 12 hours. After removal, there were no urinary issues.
In preparation for repeat umbilical hernia surgery approximately 12 days after the first surgery, I was prescribed .4mg of FlowMax the day prior to surgery and each day after. I experienced an uncomfortable feeling deep below my scrotum the morning of surgery which was discounted by my medical team.
After repeat surgery (successful I hope!), with much less general anesthesia (no lap chole), I again experienced Urinary Retention resulting in a Foley Catheter for about 12 hours. This catheter was extremely painful even when lying total flat and still. It was much more painful than the first catheter or either the first or second abdominal surgery. Removal was the worst pain I have ever experienced. My ability to urinate post catheter at all was delayed approximately 12 more hours with one straight catheter required.
4 day post the second surgery, I experienced retrograde ejaculation (first ever) and discontinued the use of FlowMax.
Now, day 5 post surgery, my urine steam continues to starts and stops, delay starting, frequent urination and continued dull burning pain all the time deep under my scrotum. I am schedule to see an Urologist in 3 days.
Questions:
Why did I have urinary retention following each surgery? Anesthesia?
Why was the second foley so much more painful?
The FlowMax was the only med change between the first and second surgery. Is it responsible for my pain/issues?
Why have I not resumed normal urination as I did following the first surgery/catheter?
Was the uncomfortable feeling deep below my scrotum the morning of surgery from the FlowMax? What is it?
Why the retrograde ejaculation?
Could the foley or the FlowMax have damaged my bladder/prostate muscles to cause these issues?
What test are available to determine what‘s wrong?
When can I expect my urination and sex life to return to normal?
What questions should I ask the Urologist in three days?
Brief Answer:
Please read detail answers bello
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query,based on the facts that you have posted it appears that you were planned for surgery of Lap Cholecystetomy and Umbilical Hernia repair in one sitting , However Hernia repair had to be postponed due to some unexplained events during surgery .
You had retention of urine post operatively for which you were catheterised for 12 hours and again after second surgery and now have developed Urinary problems.
I shall answer your queries point to point.
1) It is not uncommon to get urinary retention after abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.as man is always used to pass urine in standing position and also due to inability to contract abdominal muscle due to post surgical pain.
2) Second Foley may be painful due to trauma to the urethra while passing catheter during first catheterization.
3) Flomax can not cause any pain .
4) It could be due to trauma to the urethra or inflammation of urethra due to foreign body reaction to Foley Catheter (This does happen in some patients)
5)Deep discomfort bellow scrotum that you had is not due to Flomax.
6)Retrograde ejaculation is known side effect of Flomax.
7)There is every possibility of injury to urethra during catheterization which got aggravated during second catheterization causing more trauma resulting into present issue.
8)The only test that can confirm this is to do endoscopic examination of urethral passage and bladder.by Urologist.or to do radiological study of urethral passage what is called as Retrograde Urethrocystogram(RGU)
9)Do not worry this will get resolved and will have normal urination and sexual life.
Please take antibiotics and anti inflammatory medications twice daily for 10 days before going for these tests.
Ensure to drink more water.To keep your urine dilute This will help to control dysuria.
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions ,
I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.
Please read detail answers bello
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query,based on the facts that you have posted it appears that you were planned for surgery of Lap Cholecystetomy and Umbilical Hernia repair in one sitting , However Hernia repair had to be postponed due to some unexplained events during surgery .
You had retention of urine post operatively for which you were catheterised for 12 hours and again after second surgery and now have developed Urinary problems.
I shall answer your queries point to point.
1) It is not uncommon to get urinary retention after abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.as man is always used to pass urine in standing position and also due to inability to contract abdominal muscle due to post surgical pain.
2) Second Foley may be painful due to trauma to the urethra while passing catheter during first catheterization.
3) Flomax can not cause any pain .
4) It could be due to trauma to the urethra or inflammation of urethra due to foreign body reaction to Foley Catheter (This does happen in some patients)
5)Deep discomfort bellow scrotum that you had is not due to Flomax.
6)Retrograde ejaculation is known side effect of Flomax.
7)There is every possibility of injury to urethra during catheterization which got aggravated during second catheterization causing more trauma resulting into present issue.
8)The only test that can confirm this is to do endoscopic examination of urethral passage and bladder.by Urologist.or to do radiological study of urethral passage what is called as Retrograde Urethrocystogram(RGU)
9)Do not worry this will get resolved and will have normal urination and sexual life.
Please take antibiotics and anti inflammatory medications twice daily for 10 days before going for these tests.
Ensure to drink more water.To keep your urine dilute This will help to control dysuria.
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions ,
I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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