Evaluation of a Program of Clean Intermittent Catheterization for Underactive Bladder After Radical Hysterectomy

Dysfunction of the lower urinary tract is the most common complication of radical hysterectomy (RH). However, there are no established treatment protocols for postoperative underactive bladder (PUB). We developed our own new program for the treatment of underactive bladder (UB) after RH and evaluated it retrospectively.

In this program, there are five steps for patients to follow according to their urinary condition. The first step is the administration of urapidil 30 mg, voiding six times at a predetermined time each day, and clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) after each voiding. As the patient's condition improves, the number of CICs is reduced, and the medication is stopped. The last step includes voiding six times at a predetermined time each day. When the volume of residual urine (RU) is less than 100 mL, patients move on to the next step. When the volume of RU exceeds 100 mL, patients return to the previous step.

Of the 75 patients who visited our department, 41 were eligible for this program. Twenty-two patients visited our department because of urinary retention (UR), and 19 patients were admitted because of increased RU. The mean RU volume was 276.3 mL (range, 150-550 mL). After completing the program, 39 (95.1%) patients no longer required CIC. The mean time to withdrawal of CIC was 25.1 weeks (range, 1-72 weeks). Thirty-six patients no longer required medical treatment, including urapidil, for PUB. Of the 5 patients who had persistent PUB after treatment, 2 patients continued CIC and urapidil, and three patients continued urapidil alone.

The present results demonstrate that the program of CIC in combination with urapidil is effective for the management of PUB after RH.