Neither alpha-blocker therapy nor cystography is required before early catheter removal after radical prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the success of early catheter removal from men after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) without using either cystography or giving an alpha-blocker.


METHODS
We retrospectively analysed 156 consecutive patients who had RRPs between June 2003 and May 2004 to determine the incidence of urinary retention after early catheter removal, with no cystogram or using an alpha-blocker.


RESULTS
The mean age of the men was 60 years and 99% were clinical stage T1 or T2; 74% had their catheters removed 8 days after RRP. The incidence of urinary retention was 1.3%, and of haematuria requiring catheter replacement 2.6%. Two patients (1.3%) developed a bladder neck contracture.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study removing an indwelling catheter 1 week after RRP was safe, with a minimal risk of urinary retention or bladder neck contracture. The addition of an alpha-blocker is unlikely to reduce the already low incidence of urinary retention.
Nieder
Alan M
AM
Department of Urology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
Manoharan
Murugesan
M
Kim
Sandy S
SS
Soloway
Mark S
MS
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006417:Hematuria / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists