Early removal of catheters in an Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP) with intrathecal opioid injection does not affect postoperative urinary outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are associated with significantly longer hospital length-of-stay and increased costs. This study investigates the effect of early removal of urinary catheters on POUR and CAUTI in patients undergoing an ERP with a preoperative intrathecal injection.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery in an Enhanced Recovery pathway was compared to historical National Surgical Quality Improvement Program cohort of patients. Primary outcomes measured are 30-day POUR and postoperative CAUTI rates.

RESULTS

The overall POUR rate of ERP patients compared to non-ERP patients was significantly less (8% vs. 13%, p < 0.05). CAUTI rates were not significantly different between pre-ERP and ERP patients (1.2 vs 2.3%, p = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients undergoing ERP with a preoperative intrathecal opioid injection, early removal of urinary catheter significantly decreased POUR and did not significantly affect CAUTI rates.

SUMMARY

The effect of early removal of urinary catheters on postoperative urinary retention and catheter-associated UTI rates in patients undergoing an ERP with a single preoperative intrathecal opioid injection was studied. Early urinary catheter removal after intrathecal injection was associated with decreased rates of POUR and equivalent CAUTI rates.