Use of a portable bladder scanner to reduce the incidence of bladder catheterisation prior to laparoscopy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of estimating bladder volume with a dedicated portable ultrasound device immediately prior to gynaecological laparoscopy. Catheterisation was performed if the estimated volume was greater than 100 ml. Forty consecutive women were studied prospectively. Twenty-six women did not require catheterisation. The procedure was quick and effective in safely reducing the frequency of pre-operative catheterisation.