Rate of urinary retention after ileostomy takedown in men and role of routine placement of urinary catheter

Ileostomy takedown has been proposed as one of the procedures where the placement of the catheters can be avoided, however, the rate of UR after ileostomy takedown is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the rate of UR after ileostomy takedown and the potential benefit of perioperative Tamsulosin. Retrospective cohort study of men undergoing ileostomy takedown after pelvic colorectal surgery between January 2009 and December 2016. A total of 100 patients were identified. The rate of UR after ileostomy takedown was high at 26%. There were no instances of urinary tract infection, however, most instances of UR were in patients who did not have catheter in surgery (96% vs. 4%, p = 0.044). Perioperative use of tamsulosin did not result in significant decrease in urinary retention. Rates of urinary retention after ileostomy takedown are high. Although not placing the catheter may be protective against urinary tract infections, patients should be counseled about the possibility of UR after ileostomy takedown.