Improvement of Urinary Retention Symptoms With Electroacupuncture Therapy

Postpartum urinary retention (PPUR) can occur in women who deliver vaginally. The incidence of this occurrence varies from 1.7 - 17.9%, this different variation due to different definitions of PPUR and the methods used to measure it. There are 2 categories of RUPP, namely covert and overt, in overt PPUR the prevalence ranges from 0.3 to 4.7%, while covert PPUR can reach up to 45%. In Indonesia alone, the incidence of PPUR is around 14.8%3, where vaginal PPUR is around 70% more higher than sectio caesarean patients. A study conducted at the RSCM in 2009 by Yustini, et al stated that the incidence of PPUR was 9-14%, and if the delivery was using forceps it would increase to 38%. Other studies conducted by Suskhan at the RSCM in 2015, it was stated that the incidence of urinary retention was 13.6% of 500 research subjects. Another study conducted by Chen, et al in 2020 in China, stated that the most common cause of urinary retention in hospitals was surgery. gynecological cases, which is 69% while for obstetric cases by 18.6% where the main cause of this retention is due to vaginal delivery. The high number of PPUR can increase the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, urinary tract infections, mental fatigue during the puerperium and result in delays in breastfeeding. Bladder catheterization which is one of the treatments for PPUR is also closely related to the risk the occurrence of morbidity and complications, where 17.5% of urinary tract infections are infections obtained from hospitals or HAIs (Healthcare Associated Infections) and 80% of these infections are caused by the installation of urethral catheters, especially the installation of urethral catheters in the ER which is carried out without clear indications such as described in a study conducted by Gokula et al in Michigan in 2007.

According to Sudhakaran, symptomatic RUPP (overt) is defined as the absence of a spontaneous voiding process or the inability to urinate since 6 hours after vaginal delivery or 6 hours after catheter removal after caesarean section. Asymptomatic (covert) PPUR is defined as a post-void residual volume (PVRV) 200 ml after the first spontaneous urination as measured by ultrasound or catheter, which indicates incomplete voiding.6 Asymptomatic PPUR may occur due to reduced sensation and contractility that occurs as a result of trauma from the innervation to the bladder. Symptoms of this RUPP according to Suskhan are unexplained urination, prolonged urination, more frequent urination, inability to urinate, feeling of full bladder and abdominal distension. The presence of the above symptoms will cause the bladder to enlarge during a physical examination of the abdomen.

Acupuncture as a non-medical therapy has been widely used both in China and in other countries, especially to treat pain and neurological disorders. Urination is a neural reflex activity. Acupuncture points that correspond to the innervation of the bladder can stimulate conduction of parasympathetic nerve impulses, resulting in bladder detrusor contraction, increased intravesical pressure and relaxation of the internal sphincter. Thus, acupuncture can regulate bladder function in the process of urination.

Based on the study of Zhao, et al, it was stated that electroacupuncture can stimulate afferent and efferent nerves in the pelvic cavity of rats, increase detrusor contraction and encourage urination. Other studies have shown that electroacupuncture can also reduce the myoelectric activity of abnormal contraction of the external urethral sphincter during urination, reduce resistance during urination, improve coordination between the bladder detrusor and urethral sphincter and reduce residual urine volume. As for the side effects caused by acupuncture based on a systematic study conducted almost none.

Based on the description above, acupuncture can be considered as a supportive therapy that can overcome the problem of PPUR with minimal side effects to prevent worsening of the condition. In this study, researchers wanted to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture interventions using electroacupuncture modalities to accelerate urination after delivery and reduce residual urine volume in patients after vaginal delivery with electroacupuncture intervention for 30 minutes / session, 2 sessions in 1 x 24 hours.