"Lack of bladder scan after gynaecology surgery"

I recently had gynaecological surgery, namely a non-mesh Anterior and Posterior repair

Following surgery I was asked to void into liners so that my urine could be measured. I repeated this on four occasions – passing only small amounts each time - 100-150mls. I began having lower front stomach pain and despite pain relief and the assurance that I was constipated the pain continued to escalate. I received no examination but was given Lactulose, Senokot and a suppository to relieve my “constipation” – all to no avail.

I was told early on that I would most probably need an enema and despite asking for this on five occasions over a three day period I was not given one – only reasons and excuses as to why I couldn’t have one. My pain was excruciating and heightened to such an extent that I was given Patient Controlled Analgesia along with a cocktail of other painkillers – they had little impact on my suffering – I was in tears.

In desperation I firmly asked to see my consultant, he came soon afterwards and was shocked by my level of distress – it was clear to him that I was in agony. He asked when I had been last bladder scanned – I hadn’t so he instructed that this be done immediately. The bladder scan showed that I had I had residuals of just under a litre of urine – my usual bladder capacity is 380mls.

I had 600mls of urine drained immediately followed by 500mls two hours later – I then vomited and was also given an enema. My pain was somewhat alleviated almost immediately and the upsetting thing is that this could all have been easily avoided if I had been given a simple bladder scan – it is a portable machine and it takes literally a minute to perform. Why on earth did such low voiding amounts not trigger alarm bells that I may be retaining urine?

I am now on my fourth different antibiotic for a UTI and have been told that the infection I have is very rare, so much so that my consultant has never had a patient with it. I may never know if retaining stagnant urine in my bladder triggered this infection but measures need to be put in place to avoid repeat of this unnecessary suffering happening to others.

As a result of my bladder being stretched and traumatised and along with the resulting infection, I am unable to empty my bladder independently – I have to self-catheterise, much to my distress. My consultant has reassured me that this will only be a temporary situation whilst my bladder rests, recovers and shrinks back to size.

I have a very supportive consultant, uro-gyn nurse and one senior nurse in particular went all out to do what she could to help me and for that I am grateful but in my opinion, my treatment was down to poor training or negligence and certainly needs to be addressed as a matter of high priority.