Ureteral catheterization and patient mobilization: is bed restriction mandatory?
OBJECTIVE
We determined whether patient mobilization influences ureteral catheter position in the collecting system.


METHODS
26 consecutive patients (28 renal units) who underwent ureteral catheterization for the purpose of retrograde pyelography or the relief of ureteral obstruction, were included. The position of the catheter's tip within the collecting system and versus the vertebrae was determined for each patient in the baseline supine position; standing upright, and supine again after walking a distance of 5 m. Catheteral displacement was determined by comparing its position in the upright and supine post-walking postures to its original position with the patient supine before any maneuver was undertaken.


RESULTS
Assuming the upright position caused an average downward displacement of ureteral catheters by 7.8 mm (ranges 36 mm downward to 14 mm upward displacements, p = 0.0014). In the supine posture following a 5-meter walk, the catheters were downward displaced by 0. 36 mm on average (ranges 12 mm downward and 30 mm upward displacements p = 0.8). None of the ureteral catheters migrated below the uretero-pelvic junction during any phase of the above maneuvers.


CONCLUSIONS
The position of ureteral catheters remains unchanged within the collecting system when patients stand or walk for 5 m. Therefore, mandatory bed restriction is not justified in patients with ureteral catheters.
Leibovici
D
D
Urology and Radiology, Assaf-Harofe Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
Manor
H
H
Zisman
A
A
Siegel
Y I
YI
Brankevich
I
I
Lindner
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*