Characteristics of patients with postpartum urinary retention

Between 1982 and 1987, 76 patients were identified retrospectively as having had a parturition complicated by postpartum urinary retention among 22 176 deliveries at the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, giving an overall incidence of 3.4 per 1000 total deliveries and 4.4 per 1000 vaginal deliveries. Predisposing influences include first delivery, operative vaginal delivery, epidural anesthesia, and episiotomy. The potential for recurrence was noted in 4 of the 21 multiparous patients. A delay in diagnosis of up to 48 hours emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion for this condition. Bacteriuria, while present in one-third of patients was not a universal finding. No optimal management plan was identified; however, bladder drainage remains the cornerstone of management.