Total 213 patients who had undergone surgery for inguinal hernia and benign anorectal disease were reviewed retrospectiveiy to determine the incidenc of postoperative urinary retention requring catheterization and to assess possible influences on that incidence. The age group and sex of patients and the amount of fluids administered perioperatively did not affect the rate of the retention. However, the incidence under the spinal anesthesia was significantly high (p<0.00001) compared to the incidence under the general anesthesia. In addition, there was a difference in the incidence of the retention related to the site of operation (p=0.0007).