Large bowel obstruction caused by urinary retention from benign prostate hyperplasia

Abstract

Although large bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency, its occurrence due to bladder distension is rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of large bowel obstruction caused by bladder distention secondary to benign prostate hyperplasia in a 67-year-old man. This case demonstrates a grossly distended urinary bladder compressing the rectosigmoid colon against the sacrum, presenting as a complete large bowel obstruction. Management consisted of transurethral urinary catheter insertion, which resulted in complete resolution of the bowel obstruction with drainage of a large amount of urine. Early recognition of the underlying etiology resulted in the expeditious treatment of large bowel obstruction.

Early Onset Outlet Obstruction of a Temporary Diverting Loop Ileostomy Secondary to Urinary Retention

“…Although both postoperative urinary retention and intestinal obstruction are relatively common clinical diagnoses, cases where a causal effect is found between the two are rare [7, 8] . Hypertrophy of the prostate in elderly males and prolonged use of tricyclic antidepressants have been cited as contributing factors in the few cases reported in literature [9, 10] . Immediate relief and return of bowel function following urinary decompression in this case shows a cause-effect relationship between the two.…”

Large Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Urinary Retention

“…Severe bladder distension is a rare cause of bowel obstruction (1). Bladder is a less mobile organ with lower intrapelvic fixation and its distention tends to pinch the rectosigmoid colon at the prominence of sacral promontory, where diameter of pelvis is narrow (2). In this case anticholinergic medication and prostate enlargement were contributing to urinary retention.…”