Prophylactic postoperative condom sheet placement: A randomized clinical trial to test a new concept

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Complications
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common surgical complication with unclear etiology.
• The effectiveness of prophylactic condom sheet placement in preventing POUR has not been previously studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether prophylactic condom sheet placement reduces the incidence of POUR in male patients undergoing anorectal surgery.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial involving 172 male patients undergoing anorectal surgery with spinal anesthesia.
• Patients were randomly assigned to either a group with or without postoperative condom sheet placement.

Main Results:

• POUR developed in 13.4% of patients (23 out of 172).
• The incidence of POUR was 15.1% in the condom sheet group and 11.6% in the no-condom sheet group (P > 0.5), showing no significant difference.
• POUR was significantly correlated with morphine use and a history of hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Condom sheet placement appears ineffective in preventing POUR post-anorectal surgery.
• Early patient ambulation is suggested as a more effective strategy for managing POUR.