Urethral catheter removal 7 or 14 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy: clinical implications and complications in a randomized study

Authors

  • Carlos Ary Vargas Souto
  • Ernani Luis Rhoden
  • Rafael De Conti
  • Mário Chammas Jr.
  • Sandro Eduardo Laste
  • Alexandre Fornari
  • Eduardo Porto Ribeiro
  • Liana Scholl
  • Claudio Teloken
  • José Carlos Stumpf Souto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000500007

Keywords:

Prostate cancer, Radical prostatectomy, Urethral catheterization, Prostate, Catheter withdrawal

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hypothesis that a 7-day period of indwelling catheter after radical retropubic prostatectomy is effective and safe without the need of performing cystography. METHODS: In the period from January of 2000 to July of 2002, 73 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy, and these patients were prospectively randomized in 2 groups: Group 1-37 patients who had the urethral catheter removed 7 days after the procedure, and Group 2-36 patients who had the catheter removed 14 days after the surgery. The 2 groups were similar, the surgeons and the technique were the same, and no cystography was performed to evaluate the presence of leaks. RESULTS: Two patients in Group 1 had bleeding and clot retention after having the catheter taken out in the seventh postoperative day and were managed by putting the catheter back in for 7 more days. Two patients in Group 2 developed bladder neck stricture and were treated by bladder neck incision with success. The continence rate was the same, with 2 cases of incontinence in each group. About 2 pads a day were used by the patients with incontinence. The average follow-up was 17.5 months (12-36 months). No urinary fistula, urinoma, or pelvic abscesses developed after catheter removal. Two patients were excluded from the analysis of this series: 1 died with a pulmonary embolus in the third postoperative day, and 1 developed a urinary suprapubic fistula before catheter withdrawal, which was maintained for 16 days. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of the urethral catheter 7 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy, without performing cystography, has a low rate of short-term complications that are equivalent to withdrawal 14 days after the surgery.

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Published

2004-01-01

Issue

Section

Original Research

How to Cite

Urethral catheter removal 7 or 14 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy: clinical implications and complications in a randomized study . (2004). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 59(5), 262-265. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000500007