UROLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS OF RECTAL SURGERY1

Abstract

SUMMARY Pressure and flow measurements during micturition have been employed in the investigation of bladder dysfunction after major rectal surgery. Parasympathetic denervation of the bladder is shown to be the principal æetiological factor. It occurred in 21 per cent, of males and 29 per cent, of females after excision of the rectum for carcinoma. Denervation did not occur after anterior resection for carcinoma or rectal excision for inflammatory disease and in these patients recovery of bladder function was rapid. Urethral obstruction and distortion of the bladder neck are not important factors in the causation of post‐operative urinary retention after pelvic surgery.