Prophylactic Alpha-blockers in the Prevention of Urinary Retention Post Inguinal Hernia Repair
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2019-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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