Postoperative urinary outcomes in catheterized and non-catheterized patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy—a randomized controlled trial

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of bladder catheterization on the incidence of postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) and urinary retention (PUR) following laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). One hundred fifty patients undergoing LAVH were randomly assigned to no catheter use, 1-day, and 2-day catheter groups. The relationship between preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors and the rates of UTI and PUR were determined. The incidences of UTI and PUR were 9.3% and 18.7%, respectively. The highest rate of UTI occurred in the 2-day catheter group; the highest rate of PUR occurred in no-catheter-use group. Multivariable logistical regression showed the duration of catheterization was the single predictor of UTI; duration of catheterization and diabetes mellitus were predictors for PUR. While short-term indwelling catheterization resulted in decreased rate of PUR, UTI rate increased among patients undergoing LAVH. Nonetheless, most patients resumed normal urination shortly after surgery.