Open catheter drainage after urethral surgery.

A retrospective analysis of 100 patients, each managed by an intubated urinary diversion after undergoing repair of hypospadias and/or chordee or for a complication of previous urethral surgery, was performed to determine whether there was any difference in the incidence of postoperative urinary infection relative to the technique of catheter drainage (closed or open). In group 1 (50 patients) a traditional closed urinary drainage system was used, while in group 2 (50 patients) an open drainage system into doubled diapers was used. No significant difference in occurrence of urinary tract infections could be identified. Urinary infections occurred equally (24 per cent) in each group regardless of whether antibiotics were used postoperatively. Our results suggest that open urinary drainage using the double diaper technique is a safe and effective method of short-term catheter management after pediatric urethral surgery. This technique is comfortable for the patient, and is easy for parents to understand and master.