Prospective comparison of indwelling bladder catheter drainage versus no catheter after vaginal hysterectomy.

Abstract

This study compares the postoperative outcomes of patients in whom indwelling bladder catheterization or no catheter was used after vaginal hysterectomy. One hundred women undergoing inpatient vaginal hysterectomy were randomly assigned to have an indwelling Foley catheter for 24 hours or no catheter after the procedure. Data regarding postoperative morbidity were recorded, and a clean voided urine specimen for urinalysis and culture was obtained 48 hours and 2 weeks after surgery. The study groups were similar with respect to demographics and surgical indications. Two patients in the catheterized group required recatheterization after the catheters were removed. None of the subjects in the no-catheter group required a catheter. There was a significantly higher incidence of fever in the catheter group. No differences were found in the incidence of positive urine cultures between the study groups at 48 hours (8 vs 14, p = 0.227) and 2 weeks (6 vs 1, p = 0.111), respectively. Indwelling catheterization appears unnecessary after routine vaginal hysterectomy. However, catheter placement for 24 hours does not contribute significantly to postoperative morbidity.