Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Incidence, Risk Factors, Predictive Models, and Prevention Strategies

Across 33 studies and 55,765 lumbar spine surgery patients, a multimodal prevention bundle (early walking, standardized catheter rules, and targeted medication) cut postoperative urinary retention by 62% — far outperforming the commonly used drug tamsulosin, which failed in two randomized trials.

Bundled prevention — not single-drug prophylaxis — is the most effective way to prevent urinary retention after lumbar spine surgery and reduce hospital stays.