Introduction: We assessed the correlation between the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), patient age and postoperative urinary retention in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: 84 male patients admitted for inguinal hernia repair between January 2016 and December 2016 were included. Preoperatively patients were scored by the IPSS (0–35) according to the severity of their urinary symptoms. Patients were categorized into three symptom groups (mild, moderate and severe based on scores of 0–7, 8–18 and >18 respectively) and 2 age groups (<50 and > 50 years). All patients with postoperative urinary retention were catheterized per urethra.

Results: 16 (19.04%) patients needed catheterization postoperatively. The average (median) IPSS value in non-catheterized patients were 4 whereas in catheterized patients were 9. 87.5% of catheterized patients had an IPSS > 8. Statistical analysis showed significant association between moderate IPSS (>8) and catheterization risk in male patient (chi square p<0.005). There was also a significant relation between age (>50 years) and incidence of catheterization (chi square p<0.05).

Conclusion: Considering our results, it seems that IPSS score is useful in the prediction of those patients who are likely to develop postoperative retention after inguinal hernia repair.