Overt and covert postpartum urinary retention, risk factors and complications

• Main Authors: Nusee, Zalina, Mat Noh, Nurul Hikmah, Abdul Rashid, Aimi Rahayu, Ismail, Hamizah, Zakaria, Hasliza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Open Access Publishing (EUROPA Publishing) 2020
• Subjects: RG Gynecology and obstetrics
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/81757/1/Overt%20and%20Covert.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/81757/; https://www.ejmed.org/index.php/ejmed/article/view/391/222
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Abstract—Background:The overall risk of postpartum urinary retention (PUR) is between 0.05% and 37%. Being Asian increases the risk, while other factors include epidural analgesia, prolonged first and second stage of labour and previous history of PUR.Subjects and Methods: This is a cohort study conducted at a tertiary hospital in Pahang State of Malaysia over one year duration. All postpartum women were included. The post void residual volume (PVRV) was measured after minimum 6 hours postpartum or when the subject complained of inability to pass urine. The PVRV of more than 150ml was considered as PUR. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.Results:Of 1000 included women, mean age was 28.44(5.68), parity of 2.0 and 75.8% had vaginal delivery. PUR was diagnosed in 42 (4.2%) women, of whom 4 (9.5%) were diagnosed with overt and 38 (90.5%) had covert PUR. Parity and perineal tear were significantly associated with PUR. Second degree perineal tear (including episiotomy) were independent risk factors associated with PUR (adjusted OR 3.19, CI 1.23 -8.30).Conclusion:Incidence of PUR in our population is low compared with others. Second degree perineal tear (including episiotomy) is a risk factor for PUR. PUR screening is not needed in our population.