Preventive effects of tamsulosin for postoperative urinary retention after lower limb arthroplasty: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Purpose

This prospective, randomized, controlled study investigated the use of tamsulosin, a selective alpha-blocker, as a prophylactic medication to prevent postoperative urinary retention (POUR) following lower limb arthroplasty.

Materials and Methods

The criterion for diagnosing POUR was used a postoperative bladder volume over 400 mL with incomplete emptying. Patients who underwent primary total hip or knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to tamsulosin treatment and non-treatment groups at a single center from September 2018 to November 2018. The treatment group received 0.2 mg of tamsulosin orally once at night for 3 days starting on postoperative day 1. During this 3-day period, an indwelling Foley catheter was maintained. The incidence of POUR according to tamsulosin treatment following lower limb arthroplasty was the primary outcome.

Results

In total, 100 patients were enrolled, of whom 5 discontinued participation. POUR was diagnosed in 20 of the remaining 95 patients (21.1%). The treatment group contained 48 patients, of whom 6 (12.5%) developed POUR, whereas POUR occurred in the 14 of the 47 patients (29.8%) in the non-treatment group. Tamsulosin treatment reduced the risk of POUR by two-thirds (odds ratio [OR], 0.337; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.117–0.971; p=0.044). The risk reduction associated with tamsulosin treatment remained robust post-adjustment for potential covariates (OR, 0.250; 95% CI, 0.069–0.905; p=0.038).

Conclusions

Tamsulosin administration immediately after lower limb arthroplasty reduced the incidence of urinary retention and diminished the need for long-term catheterization.

Graphical Abstract