Intravesicular prostaglandin E2 for the prophylaxis of urinary retention after colpohysterectomy

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of PGE2 in enhancing bladder function after vaginal hysterectomy. A total of 110 women with or without urinary incontinence underwent vaginal hysterectomy and cystourethropexy surgery because of grade II or III genital prolapse. Preoperatively the patients were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 (n = 50) received on the fourth post-operative day, before removal of the bladder catheter, an intravesicular solution of 1.50 mg PGE2 (2 x 0.75 mg); group 2 (n = 60) did not receive any prophylaxis for urinary retention. In the PGE2-treated group significantly fewer patients had urinary retention for 3 days or more (10%, P < 0.05) than in the control group (27%). The use of intravesicular PGE2 reduced the time taken to restore detrusor function.