Gynecologic oncology
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Gynecologic oncology · Nov 1991
The effects of early removal of indwelling urinary catheter after radical hysterectomy.
Radical hysterectomy has long been a primary mode of therapy for selected gynecologic malignancies. The lower urinary tract is an area associated with complications following this procedure. Lack of satisfactory reflex micturition and urinary retention, diminished bladder sensation, infection, and fistula formation are common adverse sequelae. ⋯ These patients were evaluated with fluorourodynamics and none had an abnormal study. Compared to 25 historical control patients, study group median indwelling catheter duration was less (6.0 days compared to 30.0 days) with no increase in postoperative complications. On the basis of these data, early removal of indwelling urinary catheters after radical hysterectomy appears to be an acceptable alternative to long-term catheterization.