Reducing post-catheterization bladder dysfunction by reconditioning

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of reconditioning upon bladder dysfunction caused by prolonged catheterization. Eight women undergoing surgery with baseline residual urine volumes (RUVs) not greater than 25 ml and catheterization durations of 36 to 106 hours qualified as subjects. Immediately prior to catheter removal, the four treatment group subjects received reconditioning, a procedure in which their catheters were clamped for three hours followed by five minutes of urinary drainage. This cycle was repeated twice more, totaling nine hours, ten minutes. The four control group subjects received no reconditioning. After catheter removal, reconditioned subjects resumed natural micturition significantly sooner than non-reconditioned subjects (t = -2.82, df = 6, p less than 0.05). A t test showed no significant differences between the groups in post-indwelling catheterization RUVs following the first micturition, probably due to the small number of subjects, since the control group's mean post-catheterization RUV increased to a physiologically abnormal level (42.25 ml), while the reconditioned group's mean RUV stayed within normal limits. This study should be repeated to test for statistical significance in larger samples.