Retrograde Bladder Filling after Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

To evaluate whether retrofilling the bladder on completion of elective laparoscopic gynecologic surgery for benign indications has an effect on the timing of the first postoperative void and the timing of discharge from the hospital.

Double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Single academic surgical day hospital.

Patients undergoing outpatient laparoscopic gynecologic surgery, excluding hysterectomy or pelvic reconstructive surgery.

On completion of surgery, patients were randomized to either retrograde filling of the bladder with 200 mL of saline before catheter removal or standard care (immediate catheter removal). Patients and postanesthesia care unit nurses (outcome assessors) were both blinded.

The primary outcome was the time to first void. The secondary outcomes were time to hospital discharge, postoperative urinary tract infection, and patient satisfaction. Over a 3-month period, 47 patients were approached on the day of surgery, 42 consented and were randomized (21 to intervention and 21 to control). There were no significant differences in baseline demographics between the groups. The median time to first void was significantly shorter for patients in the intervention arm than controls (104 ± 75 minutes vs 162 ± 76 minutes, p <.001). Patients who had retrofilled bladders were discharged faster from post-anesthesia care unit compared to controls (155.0 ± 74 minutes vs 227 ± 58 minutes, p = .001). There were no urinary tract infections in either group, and the proportion of satisfied or very satisfied patients was high (93.8% vs 88.2%, p = .512).

Retrograde filling of the bladder after outpatient laparoscopic gynecologic surgery is a safe, effective method that significantly reduces the length of hospital stay.