title: New use of Foley catheter for precise vesicourethral anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe a new method of using a Foley catheter to assist vesicourethral anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 81 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy with this technique. Followup ranged from 4 to 48 months. Peri-catheter urethrograms were performed at 3 weeks. Patients were evaluated specifically for bladder neck contracture, urinary continence and prolonged catheterization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bladder neck contracture, occurred in 4.9% of the patients and 87.6% were completely continent of urine. Only 1 patient required extended postoperative catheterization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a Foley catheter for vesicourethral anastomosis is consistent and simple, and provided good surgical results in our experience.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington, 98341-5000, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Petroski
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Thrasher
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hansberry
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000601:surgery*; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000517:prevention & control