Comparison of 1 and 3 days' transurethral Foley catheterization after retropubic incontinence surgery

This prospective study was done to see if reducing transurethral Foley catheterization from 3 days to 1 would lead to fewer urinary tract infections without an increase in voiding problems. Ninety-one women undergoing retropubic surgery for stress urinary incontinence (Burch or Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz) were randomized to either 1 or 3 days' catheterization. Antibiotics were not used. Infection was diagnosed in 9 (20.0%) patients in the 1-day group and in 16 (34.8%) in the 3-day group. Delayed voiding occurred in 13 (28.9%) and 10 (21.7%) patients, respectively, and 5 (11.1%) and 3 (6.5%), respectively, received a new catheter. The differences do not reach statistical significance. Therefore, catheter time may safely be reduced to 1 day. This may lead to fewer infections but also somewhat more voiding problems. If a transurethral catheter is to be used, on balance the two regimens are equivalent.