title: Sacral region massage as an alternative to the urinary catheter used to prevent urinary retention after cesarean delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the effect of massage to the sacral region after cesarean delivery instead of employing a urinary catheter for the prevention of urinary retention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This interventional study population consisted of 60 women who were divided into two intervention groups and one control group. For the first intervention group, the sacral region was massaged every hour 10-15 minutes after cesarean delivery and every 30 minutes after a voiding sensation for the second intervention group. No interventions were made in the control group, although routine hospital services were provided. Socio-demographic data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Other data were collected via observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen percent (15%) of the women in the first intervention group needed to void 2 hours after cesarean delivery, 35% after 3 hours, and the mean time to void after delivery was 3.4±0.8 hours. Forty percent (40%) of the women in the second intervention group needed to void after 5 hours, and the mean time to void after delivery was 5.5±0.8 hours. Sixty percent (60%) of the women in the control group needed to void 6 hours later, and the mean time to void after delivery was 6.2±0.7 hours. Urinary retention was not observed in the first intervention group. Our statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the three groups in terms of mean times to void after cesarean delivery (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to facilitate voiding and to prevent urinary retention, which is seen as a post-cesarean complication, massaging the sacral region could be recommended instead of urinary catheter insertion. Additional studies with larger groups are also recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Near East University, Nicosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
authors.forename: Umran
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dal
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Near East University, Nicosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
authors.forename: Aslı Er
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Korucu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kafiye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eroğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Near East University, Nicosia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
authors.forename: Belkıs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karataş
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Life Hospital, Gazi Mağusa, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yalçın
keywords: Cesarean; massage; nurse; postoperative care; postoperative complications; urinary catheter; urinary retention