Investigating time to void after lower-extremity orthopedic surgery in a pediatric population.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to determine the time frame of postoperative bladder volume assessment in order to identify children at risk for urinary retention in a pediatric orthopedic population.


METHODS
This is a descriptive and nonexperimental study. Variables included age, sex, length of anesthesia, type of analgesia, analgesia delivery, bladder volume, and intravenous fluid rate.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine percent of the children (n = 38) required straight catheterization. The average length of time to bladder emptying was 5 hr. There were significant correlations (p < .05) between several variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The standard practice of waiting 8 hr before assessment of voiding was not supported in this study.
Sherburne
Eileen
E
Department of Advanced Practice Nursing and Research, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. esherburne@chw.org
Sawin
Kathleen
K
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009929:Organ Size; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000451:nursing*; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology