We studied a retrospective cohort of 360 consecutive patients who had undergone elective cholecystectomy using general endotracheal anesthesia to determine risk factors associated with postoperative retention of the urinary tract. Male gender, increased age, a longer operating time and higher total doses of analgesic agents given postoperatively were each significantly associated with an increase in urinary tract retention. The use of postoperative intravenous patient controlled analgesia was associated with increased retention after controlling for other risk factors. Physicians should consider inserting a Foley catheter preoperatively in patients undergoing a cholecystectomy who are scheduled to receive postoperative patient controlled analgesia.