The number of in-out catheterisations is reduced by mobilising the postoperative patient with bladder needs to the toilet in the recovery room: A randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Many patients are diagnosed with postoperative urine retention in the recovery room and treated with in-out catheterisation (IOC).

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesised that the use of IOC could be reduced by mobilising patients to the toilet to pass urine instead of offering a bedpan or urinal.

DESIGN

A randomised, controlled, nonblinded study with two groups.

SETTING

University Hospital, October 2009 to June 2012.

PATIENTS: One hundred and fifty-two patients scheduled for surgery for cervical or lumbar disc herniation. Inclusion criteria were a bladder volume more than 350 ml and/or the need to pass urine in the recovery room.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomised in the recovery room for mobilisation to the toilet (Group I) or use of a bedpan or urinal in the bed (Group C).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of IOC cases in the recovery room (primary outcome) and the duration of stay in the recovery room.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 67 patients (19%) in Group I and 38 of 71 patients in Group C (54%) required IOC (P < 0.001). The median (IQR) durations of stay in the RR were 125 (97 to 125) min in Group I and 157 (115 to 214) min in Group C (P = 0.006). The median times from arrival to first general ward mobilisation were 85 (37 to 139) min in Group I and 180 (118 to 245) min in Group C (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients were mobilised early after disc herniation intervention to permit toilet visits in the recovery room. This strategy decreased the number of IOCs, duration of stay in the recovery room and time from arrival to first mobilisation in the general ward.