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Feasibility of early catheter removal after radical retropubic prostatectomy
Purpose:
This study was conducted to determine if early (1 week) removal of the urethral catheter after radical prostatectomy is feasible.
Material And Methods:
Eighty patients underwent surgery from 1992 to 1999. Of the 78 patients with analyzable results, 22 (28%) had the catheter removed after 3 weeks (group 1) and 56 (72%) after 1 week (group 2).
Results:
Median follow-up of 49 months revealed no mortality or major morbidity in the two groups of patients. Urinary functions were satisfactory and similar in both groups of patients. Group 2 patients had an improved continence rate of 92%, achieving full continence at 3 months, compared to 59% for group 1. The mean duration of hospitalization of 8.2 days for group 2 was better than the 12.1 days for group 1.
Conclusions:
Early removal of the catheter after radical prostatectomy was feasible, did not impose any short- or long-term morbidity, and may offer some benefits.