Bladder drainage for caesarean section under epidural analgesia

Fifty patients undergoing elective caesarean section under epidural analgesia were randomized prospectively to be catheterized with an 'in-out' or an indwelling urethral catheter. Of the patients who had catheterization for the time of surgery alone 44% subsequently required recatheterization, whereas all patients with indwelling catheters voided spontaneously on their removal. The frequency of significant bacteriuria was the same in both groups.