After an appendectomy, which complication should you monitor for in the immediate postoperative period?

After an appendectomy, monitoring for urinary retention in the immediate postoperative period is critical due to several factors that can contribute to this complication. Following surgery, patients often experience reduced mobility and may have alterations in fluid balance, which can lead to difficulties in bladder function. Additionally, the use of anesthesia can affect the nerves that control the bladder, potentially resulting in urinary retention.

While other complications such as wound infection, pneumonia, and deep vein thrombosis are also concerns after surgery, urinary retention is particularly relevant in the first hours to days following an appendectomy, when the effects of anesthesia can still be prominent and the patient may be on medications that affect bladder activity. This makes close monitoring of urinary output essential, as early detection and management can prevent further complications related to urinary retention.