Investigating time to void after lower-extremity orthopedic surgery in a pediatric population.

PURPOSE: 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.

DESIGN AND

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.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The standard practice of waiting 8 hr before assessment of voiding was not supported in this study.