Urethral catheter removal prior to hospital discharge following radical prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of early catheter removal following radical prostatectomy.


METHODS
Fifty-eight consecutive patients underwent radical prostatectomy, with intent of early catheter removal. Catheter removal was based on postoperative cystograms performed on postoperative day (POD) 3 or 4. Charts were retrospectively reviewed and patients were contacted by phone and specifically questioned regarding continence and bladder control.


RESULTS
Fifty-one patients (87.9%) had a cystogram performed on POD 3 or 4. In 43 patients (74.1%), the catheter was successfully removed prior to hospital discharge. Eight patients experienced either early or late complications (excluding incontinence); these included 3 patients with a superficial wound infection, 2 patients with hematuria requiring reinsertion of a urethral catheter, 1 patient with a spontaneous pneumothorax, 1 patient who developed a deep vein thrombosis and lymphocele, and 1 patient with a bladder neck contracture. Urinary continence was reported as excellent to good in 86% of the patients at a mean follow-up of 17.4 months. Three patients (5%) underwent placement of an artificial urinary sphincter.


CONCLUSIONS
Catheter removal prior to hospital discharge after radical prostatectomy is feasible without any increase in morbidity.
Coogan
C L
CL
Department of Urology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA.
Little
J S
JS
Bihrle
R
R
Foster
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011468:Prostatectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014521:Urethra; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects