Prophylactic Alpha-blockers in the Prevention of Urinary Retention Post Inguinal Hernia Repair

Summary

Post operative urinary retention ( POUR) is caused by sympathetic activation of the internal urethral sphincter after surgery. The smooth muscles of the around the internal urethral sphincter have been demonstrated to be rich in alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Our research idea is novel because there has been no prior prospective study conducted using alpha-blockers to reduce post-operative urinary retention in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. The proposed research is important as existing studies that sought to understand POUR have merely established the risks factors involved. Despite so, the incidence of POUR remains high and no studies to date have investigated the use of specific interventions to reduce the risk of POUR. This is essential as patients who develop POUR have also been successfully shown to have significantly longer length of hospitalisation. Besides, the development of POUR can also cause significant pain/discomfort, increase risks of long-term urethral catheterisation and predispose patients to urinary tract infections

Timeline

Start

2017-12-01

Primary completion

2018-12-01

Completion

2019-06-01

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.