Successful voiding after trial without catheter is not synonymous with recovery of bladder function after colorectal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The need for monitoring postoperative urine output and the possibility of lower urinary tract dysfunction following colorectal surgery necessitates temporary urinary drainage. Current practice assumes recovery of lower urinary tract function to coincide with successful micturition after removal of urethral catheter. The aim of this study was to analyze the recovery of bladder function following colorectal surgery.


METHODS
Patients undergoing colorectal operations underwent preoperative and postoperative uroflowmetry and residual urine estimation. All patients were catheterized suprapubically at surgery. Uroflowmetry and postvoid residual volumes were recorded postoperatively until recovery of bladder function was complete.


RESULTS
Thirty consecutive patients underwent suprapubic catheterization, 25 of whom completed the study. Seventeen (68 percent) patients were able to pass urine within 72 hours of surgery. Recovery of lower urinary tract function was delayed in patients undergoing rectal vs. colonic resections (median, 6 vs. 3 days, P = 0.0015). Postvoid residual volumes greater than 200 ml were noted in three (20 percent) patients following rectal resections beyond the tenth postoperative day, with complete emptying achieved by six weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Apparent successful micturition following rectal resections does not always indicate recovery of bladder function. The use of suprapubic catheters, in addition to being safe and effective, allows assessment of residual volumes postoperatively and smoothes the path to full recovery of lower urinary tract function.
Chaudhri
Sanjay
S
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Maruthachalam
Karthik
K
Kaiser
Ann
A
Robson
Wendy
W
Pickard
Robert S
RS
Horgan
Alan F
AF
D000368:Aged; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery; D003107:Colorectal Surgery; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014554:Urination; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014563:Urodynamics