A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing immediate versus delayed removal of urinary catheter following elective cesarean section

Abstract

Objective: To compare immediate and 12 h postoperative removal of urinary catheter after elective cesarean section. Study design: In a prospective clinical trial at a university teaching hospital, 300 eligible women admitted for primary or repeat elective cesarean section were randomized into two equal groups. In group A, the catheter was removed immediately after the procedure; whereas in group B, the catheter was removed 12 h postoperatively. Results: The incidence of postoperative significant bacteruria (p = 0.020), dysuria (p = 0.030), burning on micturition (p = 0.016), urinary frequency (p = 0.031), and urgency (p = 0.011) were significantly lower in group A compared with group B. The mean postoperative ambulation time (p < 0.001), time till the first voiding (p < 0.001), and length of hospital stay (p < 0.001) were also significantly shorter in group A. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of urinary retention necessitating recatheterization (p = 0.371). Conclusion: Immediate removal of urinary catheter after elective cesarean section is associated with lower risk of urinary infection and earlier postoperative ambulation.