Prostate Problems

[leespara]

My husband had a Hemorrhoidectomy surgery alittle over a week ago.  He was home for 4 days and was unable to urinate or have a bowl movement.  I brought him to the hospital and they put a catheter in. The docter is thinking, they cut his prostate when they did the Hemorrhoidectomy.  Is this a common thing? After 4 days in the hospital they sent him home with the catheter in. He gets that removed in a day. He's had it in 7 days.  Isn't he susposed to do something to retrain the bladder? Will there be other problems when they remove the catherter?

[Dr Smitha Mathews]

Hi,

Nearly 70% of patients have risks of developing a neurogenic bladder after rectal surgery.

"Postoperative Complications. Family physicians often encounter urinary retention in patients who have had surgery. Pain, traumatic instrumentation, bladder  overdistension, and pharmacologic agents (particularly opioid narcotics) are all thought to play a role. After rectal surgery, patients will experience urinary retention up to 70 percent of the time.20 As many as 78 percent of patients who have had total hip arthroplasty and up to 25 percent of patients who have had outpatient gynecologic surgery will develop urinary retention.21,22 During hemorrhoidectomy, the use of selective pudendal nerve block rather than spinal anesthesia may decrease urinary retention.20 In some studies, perioperative administration of prazosin (Minipress) has also been shown to decrease postoperative urinary retention in men."
"Patients with chronic urinary retention, especially those with neurogenic bladder, should be able to manage their condition with clean, intermittent self-catheterization. This technique is considered first-line treatment for managing urinary retention caused by neurogenic  bladder and can reduce complications, such as renal failure, upper urinary tract deterioration, and urosepsis"
www.aafp.org/afp/20080301/643.html

They will remove his catheter and check whether he is able to sense his bladder being full and whether he can void by himself.

Since most patients with this form of urinary retention recover over time, you will just need to provide supportive care and ensure that he gets appropriate medical care.

Bladder training will only be required if the problem continues and he develops urinary incontinence.

Do keep us posted on your doubts and progress.
Regards