Feasibility of early catheter removal after radical retropubic prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine if early (1 week) removal of the urethral catheter after radical prostatectomy is feasible.


METHODS
Eighty patients underwent surgery from 1992 to 1999. Of the 78 patients with analyzable results, 22 (28%) had the catheter removed after 3 weeks (group 1) and 56 (72%) after 1 week (group 2).


RESULTS
Median follow-up of 49 months revealed no mortality or major morbidity in the two groups of patients. Urinary functions were satisfactory and similar in both groups of patients. Group 2 patients had an improved continence rate of 92%, achieving full continence at 3 months, compared to 59% for group 1. The mean duration of hospitalization of 8.2 days for group 2 was better than the 12.1 days for group 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Early removal of the catheter after radical prostatectomy was feasible, did not impose any short- or long-term morbidity, and may offer some benefits.
Department of Urology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
K O
KO
Lau
C
C
Cheng
D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization