Early discharge of transurethral prostatectomy patients with an indwelling Foley catheter.
OBJECTIVE
To assess feasibility of early discharge of patients after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with an indwelling Foley catheter.


METHODS
A retrospective study comparing a planned early discharge group and a standard post-TURP group. Comprising the study group were 47 consecutive TURP patients treated with the intent to be discharged early with an indwelling Foley catheter. The comparative group included 50 consecutive patients with the standard post-TURP hospital course.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven of 47 patients (57%) in the study group were discharged on postoperative day 1 and a total of 43 (91%) were released within two days. Mean length of stay was 1.7 days. Four patients (8.5%) had medical problems prolonging stay. There were eight emergency room visits secondary to catheter problems or failed voiding trials. In the comparative group of 50 consecutive patients the mean length of stay was 3.9 days. Five of 50 patients (10%) had medical problems prolonging stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Complications were similar in each group. No readmissions or serious morbidities were noted in the patients with shortened hospital stay. Early discharge of post-TURP patients is a safe, feasible, and cost-effective alternative.
Spear
K A
KA
Department of Urology, Summa Health System, Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine, Akron.
Bollard
G A
GA
Summers
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011468:Prostatectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014521:Urethra; D014546:Urinary Catheterization