Prophylactic tamsulosin and urinary retention rates following elective colorectal surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a known morbidity after colorectal surgery. This study investigated the effect of prophylactic tamsulosin on urinary retention rates after colorectal surgery.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of male patients 50 years or older undergoing elective colonic and rectal resections from May 2014 to November 2019 was performed. The intervention assessed was prophylactic tamsulosin use. POUR, defined by requiring intermittent or reinsertion of urinary catheter, was compared using chi-squared analysis.

Results: A total of 332 patients were included, 131 received no tamsulosin, and 201 received prophylactic tamsulosin. Overall POUR was significantly reduced (16.8% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.047). Subgroup analysis for age 50-59 revealed no difference (9.1% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.96), but POUR risk was significantly lower in age 60 and older (20.7% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.02). No significant difference was found in rectal resections alone (18.2% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.34).

Conclusion: Prophylactic tamsulosin reduced POUR after colorectal surgery with the greatest effect in men 60 years or older and colonic resections.