Why catheterize the bladder for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Bladder catheterization is widely employed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Fifty consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed without bladder catheterization. Patients were asked to void shortly before induction of anesthesia to ensure that the bladder was empty. Postoperative bladder catheterization for urinary retention was required in 3 of the 50 patients. Routine bladder catheterization for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is unnecessary, and its elimination will reduce costs, urethral trauma, and nosocomial urinary tract infections.