[Urine drainage following vaginal gynecologic operations]

In a retrospective study covering 161 patients, postoperative discharge of urine by means of a suprapubic catheter (SPC) and a transurethral indwelling catheter (TIC) following vaginal hysterectomy with reconstructive surgery were compared. The incidence of urinary tract infections differed clearly in the two groups, though not significantly (SPC 20.9%, TIC 37.2%). The SPC has clear advantages, causing fewer micturition difficulties and being more readily accepted. Isolated complications such as macrohematuria, bladder tamponade, and blocking of the catheter represent disadvantages of the SPC as compared to the TIC.