Surgery1 UKMLA question
Post-operative urinary retention — UKMLA Revision Notes
Post-operative urinary retention is an important clinical condition in Surgery that is tested in the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test (AKT). Medical students and doctors preparing for the UKMLA or PLAB 1 must understand the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, investigations, and evidence-based management of Post-operative urinary retention as outlined in current NICE guidelines.
Key Facts
- Post-operative urinary retention is a key condition on the GMC UKMLA Content Map
- Commonly tested in the Surgery section of the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test
- Understand the pathophysiology, clinical features, investigations, and management
- NICE guidelines provide the evidence base for management decisions
- Consider differential diagnoses and red flag symptoms in clinical scenarios
Investigations
- FBC, U&E, LFTs, clotting
- CT abdomen/pelvis
- Erect CXR (perforation)
- USS abdomen
- AXR
- Surgical review
Management
- Resuscitation (IV fluids, analgesia)
- NBM and NG tube if obstruction
- Surgical consent and WHO checklist
- Prophylactic antibiotics and VTE prophylaxis
- Post-operative monitoring
- Surgical outpatient follow-up