Tamsulosin (Flomax) before chest surgery to prevent being unable to urinate afterwards

Inability to urinate a common complication that happens to many patients after a surgery, especially in men over 60 years of age who undergo surgery on their chest. Urinary retention is uncomfortable, increases anxiety, increases hospital length of stay, and leads to more procedures such as putting in a bladder catheter (Foley). This is uncomfortable, and can lead to bleeding, infection, damage to the urethra and/or bladder and bladder spasm. The goal of this study is to attempt to prevent inability to urinate by giving patients a medication called Flomax (Tamusolin) every day beginning a week before surgery. That medication relaxes the prostate. It's approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve urinary flow in those with enlarged prostates. It is also commonly used in patients with bladder problems due to inability to urinate who have required a Foley.