A randomized, controlled trial evaluating 2 techniques of postoperative bladder testing after transvaginal surgery

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gynecologic Surgery
• Postoperative Care

Background:

• Transvaginal surgery requires effective bladder function assessment postoperatively.
• Current methods for evaluating bladder function may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of two bladder function evaluation techniques after transvaginal surgery.
• To determine if a backfill-assisted voiding trial is superior to spontaneous voiding trials.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving outpatient transvaginal surgery patients.
• Randomization to either a backfill-assisted voiding trial or a spontaneous voiding trial.
• Evaluation of bladder emptying and need for catheterization.

Main Results:

• Sixty subjects were enrolled and randomized.
• The backfill group showed a trend towards shorter recovery time (199.5 vs 226.6 minutes, P=.08).
• Backfill-assisted trials resulted in significantly higher rates of adequate bladder emptying and discharge without catheter (61.5% vs 32.1%, P=.02).

Conclusions:

• A backfill-assisted voiding trial is an effective method for evaluating bladder function post-transvaginal surgery.
• This technique increases the probability of successful bladder emptying and facilitates earlier discharge.
• The findings support the use of backfill-assisted voiding trials in women undergoing outpatient transvaginal procedures.