Editorial comment

Postpartum voiding dysfunction (PPVD), also referred to in the literature as postpartum urinary retention, has been defined as inability to void within 6 hours of giving birth or within 6 hours of catheter removal after cesarean section, or incomplete emptying with post void residual urine volume greater than 150 cc. Prior studies, many with poorly defined definitions of PPVD and/or unclear methods of diagnosis, have shown wide variability in prevalence estimates ranging from 1.5% to 37%.1 This contemporary study by Diaz et al (n  = 2308), using a standardized definition and standardized methods with straight catheterization in all women who did not void within 6 hours or who voided with symptoms suggesting incomplete emptying, found a prevalence of PPVD of 9.85%.
Source: Urology - Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Source Type: research