Do not catheterise your nephrectomies.
A retrospective study of 100 consecutive nephrectomy patients showed a 20% catheterisation rate. Of the 11 carried out post-operatively only 4 were for urinary retention. The post-operative catheterisation rate for males was 7.1% and for females 2%. The rate of post-operative retention was 4.4%, which is much lower than that reported from other units. This rate of post-operative catheterisation for retention is so low that in spite of the very mild increase in complications compared with intra-operative catheterisation, the practice of routine prophylactic catheterisation of nephrectomy patients is unnecessary and cannot be recommended.
Williams
J R
JR
Department of Urology, Royal United Hospital, Bath.
Stott
M A
MA
Moisey
C U
CU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000517:prevention & control*