Early catheter removal following transurethral prostatectomy: overnight catheterization.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine the safety and feasibility of catheter removal on the first morning after transurethral prostatectomy.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy were included in a prospective study. The decision to remove the catheters on the first morning after surgery was based on the color of the catheter effluent, absence of clots, normal vital signs and adequate urine output. Patients who voided successfully were discharged on the same day as catheter removal.

RESULTS

Catheters were removed in 43 (79.6%) patients on postoperative day 1. Of these patients 40 (93%) voided successfully, however 3 of them required recatheterization due to bleeding or urinary retention. The criteria for catheter removal were not met in 11 patients and their catheters were removed on postoperative day 2 in 2 and on postoperative day 3 in 9. The mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 1.74 days for the entire group and 1.41 days for those in whom the catheter was removed on postoperative day 1.

CONCLUSION

Overnight catheterization after transurethral prostatectomy seems to be a feasible approach without leading to significant morbidity in selected patients.