Early catheter removal following transurethral prostatectomy–impact on length of hospital stay

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether early catheter removal following transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) is safe and whether it has any effect on the length of hospital stay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following transurethral prostatectomy 59 patients were randomized into one of two groups: those whose catheter was removed on day 1 after surgery and those whose catheter was removed on day 2. The incidence of complications and the duration of post-operative hospital stay were assessed. RESULTS: Catheter removal on day 1 led to a significantly shorter post-operative hospital stay (2.3 days versus 3.3 days) and did not incur a higher incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of the catheter on the first day following TURP is safe in selected patients and leads to a shorter post-operative hospital stay.