The effect of intermittent versus continuous bladder catheterization on labor duration and postpartum urinary...

To assess the effect of intermittent versus continuous bladder catheterization on labor duration and local anesthetic consumption.

Randomized, controlled, prospective, single-blind trial.

University-affiliated hospital.

209 ASA physical status I and II, primiparous parturients who received patient-controlled epidural analgesia for labor.

Patients were randomly allocated to either the intermittent bladder catheterization group (Group IC; n = 109) or the continuous catheterization group (Group CC; n = 100).

Duration of the second stage of labor, dose of local anesthetics given, and primary outcomes were compared by group using the t-test for independent samples. Main secondary outcomes were postpartum urinary retention and rate of postpartum urinary tract infection (UTI; asymptomatic bacteruria).

Duration of the second stage of labor was longer in Group CC than Group IC: 105 +/- 72 vs. 75 +/- 52 min (P = 0.002). This finding was associated with increased local anesthetic dose requirement in Group CC during both stages of labor (73 +/- 25 mL vs. 63 +/- 26 mL; P = 0.005). The rate of UTI was similar (30%) in both study groups.

Intermittent bladder catheterization was associated with shorter second-stage labor and less local anesthetic, but the same frequency of postpartum urinary retention and UTI was seen with both catheterization groups.