Management of postoperative urinary retention: a randomized trial of in-out versus overnight catheterization.
BACKGROUND
There has been no consensus on the best catheterization strategy for the management of postoperative urinary retention. A prospective randomized trial was undertaken to establish the best practice guidelines for the management of postoperative urinary retention. The authors also evaluated the contemporary incidence of urinary retention following different categories of general surgery and examined risk factors associated with its occurrence.


METHODS
All patients who underwent elective inpatient surgery between January 2002 and June 2003 were recruited into the study. Patients who developed postoperative urinary retention were randomized to either having in-out catheterization or placement of an indwelling catheter for 24 h after surgery.


RESULTS
A total of 1448 patients was recruited. The overall incidence of urinary retention was 4.1% (n = 60). Significant risk factors associated with postoperative urinary retention included old age, anorectal procedures and use of spinal anaesthesia. Comparison of re-catheterization and urinary tract infection rates between patients who were treated with in-out versus overnight catheterization found no significant differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative urinary retention should be managed by in-out catheterization. Indwelling catheterization for 24 h appeared to bestow no additional benefits. The incidence of urinary retention increases with age, anorectal procedures and the use of spinal anaesthesia.
Department of Surgery, Tung Wah Hospital, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, 12 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. lauh@hkucc.hku.hk
Hung
H
Lau
Becky
B
Lam
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*