title: Early removal of the catheter after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We prospectively tested the safety of routine removal of the catheter as early as 2 to 4 days after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between March 1998 and March 2001, 228 patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for clinically organ confined prostate cancer. The last 113 consecutive patients were included in a prospective study according to gravitational cystography performed 2 to 4 days postoperatively. If no leak was seen the catheter was removed. If a leak was apparent the catheter was left indwelling for another 6 days and cystography was repeated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cystography 2 to 4 days postoperatively showed an anastomosis without a leak in 96 (84.9%) patients who subsequently had the catheters removed. There were 28 patients who had the catheter removed on postoperative day 2, 28 day 3 and 40 day 4. In 17 (15.1%) patients an anastomotic leak was observed, and the catheter was not removed at that time. Of the 96 patients in whom the catheter was removed early 10 (10.4%) had urinary retention that necessitated re-catheterization. This procedure was performed without the need for cystoscopy. After the catheter was removed all patients were able to void 24 hours later. Median followup was 7 months (range 1 to 15) and showed continence rates greater than 93%. No anastomotic stricture, pelvic abscess or urinoma developed in any patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who undergo laparoscopic radical prostatectomy can have the catheter safely removed 2 to 4 days postoperatively without a higher risk of incontinence, stricture or leak related problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Henri Mondor Hospital, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nadu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salomon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoznek
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saint
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de La Taille
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cicco
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chopin
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Abbou
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization