The effect of early bladder catheterization on the incidence of urinary complications after total joint replacement.

A prospective, randomized study was performed in 54 female total arthroplasty patients to determine whether straight catheterization in the recovery room might reduce the incidence of postoperative urinary infection, urinary retention, and urinary catheterization. Thirty-one patients were straight catheterized in the recovery room; 23 were not. Overall, 13% of the patients developed a urinary tract infection postoperatively, 60% of the patients required at least one catheterization, and 13% of the patients required a Foley catheter. No beneficial effect of straight catheterization in the recovery room after arthroplasty was demonstrated.