This study was planned as a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises on urinary retention and comfort levels of patients after lumbar disc herniation surgery.

Postoperative urinary retention is the inability to urinate despite having a full bladder after surgery. It is a relatively common complication of both outpatient and inpatient procedures. Most cases are transient and are managed by temporarily emptying the bladder with bladder catheterization.

Studies in the literature report that transient postoperative urinary retention is common after cervical and lumbar spine surgery procedures. This situation is of great importance in terms of healthcare services, as it can increase both the length of hospital stay and the cost.

Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises involve the repeated contraction and relaxation of the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor. With these exercises, pelvic floor blood circulation can be increased, pelvic floor muscle tension can be increased, and the contraction of the relaxed bladder can be stimulated indirectly by repeated contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, and urine output can be achieved. Therefore, we think that these exercises, which are safe, cost-effective exercises that can be easily applied by healthcare personnel, and patient comfort among nursing practices to improve perioperative results and functional status, will have an effect in preventing urinary retention.

There are no experimental studies in the literature evaluating the effect of Kegel exercises applied after lumbar disc herniation surgery on urinary retention. Therefore, this study was planned to be conducted in patients who will undergo lumbar disc herniation surgery.

This study was planned as a single-center prospective randomized controlled experimental study. After obtaining verbal and written consent from the patients before surgery, the study will be conducted with various data collection forms.

These forms; Patient Information Form, Postoperative Data Collection Form, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to determine the pain level of the patients and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to evaluate the comfort level. Patients will be randomized. Group I will be the Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercise group (n=29), Group II will be the control group (n=29). It is planned to measure the urinary retention and comfort levels of both groups in the postoperative period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Agreeing to participate in the study
• Over 18 years of age
• No communication barrier
• Having undergone lumbar disc herniation surgery under general anesthesia
• Being immobile for the first 8 hours postoperatively
• Not having a urinary catheter inserted during the intraoperative period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal to participate in the study
• Previous urinary disorders/symptoms (such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
• Spinal trauma, preoperative neurological disorder
• Patients with preoperative catheterization

Having had surgery for lumbar disc herniation