Early catheter removal following transurethral prostatectomy: A study of 431 patients

Abstract

Objectives: To assess and review catheter removal on the first day after transurethral prostatectomy. Subjects and Methods: The study included 431 consecutive patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy between 2000 and 2003 at a Scarborough General Hospital, Toronto, Canada. The equipment used was a standard resectoscope with a regular loop. No roller ball or other gadget was used. The cutting and coagulation electrical variables were standard at 160 and 60 W for the generator used. The decision to remove the catheters was based on normal vital signs, adequate urine output, absence of clots and acceptable color of the catheter effluent. Results: Catheters were removed in 415 (96.3%) patients on postoperative day 1. Of the 415 patients 332 (80.0%) were discharged on the same day. The criteria for catheter removal on postoperative day 1 were not met in 16 (3.7%) patients and the mean indwelling catheter time was 4.8 ± 2.4 days and the mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 6.2 ± 3.3 days. For the entire group, the mean indwelling catheter time was 1.1 ± 0.8 days and the mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 1.6 ± 1.5 days. Risk factors which predicted delayed removal were age, postoperative bleeding and several comorbidities, that is coronary heart disease, renal insufficiency and Alzheimer's disease. Conclusions: Removal of the catheter on the first postoperative day after transurethral prostatectomy seems to be feasible, safe and cost-effective without increasing significant morbidity in selected patients. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG.