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Is Postpartum Urinary Retention a Neurogenic Phenomenon?

  • Neurogenic Bladder (CR Powell, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Postpartum urinary retention (PUR) can be classified as covert, those with postvoid residuals higher than 150 cm3, or overt, those unable to void 6 hours after vaginal delivery or after removal of a catheter after cesarean section. There is limited data and research on the mechanism of PUR. However, it has been suggested that there is a neurological component to the development of PUR. This includes disruption of the afferent system through analgesic blockade, crush or stretch injuries to the pudendal nerve during delivery, and impairment of neurotransmitters required for proper signal transduction. However, it is likely that the causes of PUR are multifactorial, and that physiologic changes of pregnancy and trauma from childbirth play a critical role.

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A. Alas has received grants from Pfizer outside the submitted work. E. Hurtado declares no conflict of interest.

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  1. Cleveland Clinic Florida, Section of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd, Weston, FL, 33331, USA

    Alexandriah N. Alas & Eric A. Hurtado

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Correspondence to Eric A. Hurtado.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurogenic Bladder

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Alas, A.N., Hurtado, E.A. Is Postpartum Urinary Retention a Neurogenic Phenomenon?. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 10, 318–324 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-015-0321-8

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