Feasibility of immediate removal of urinary catheter after laparoscopic gynecological surgery for benign diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND

The proper time for removing the urinary catheter after gynecologic laparoscopy is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the feasibility of immediate catheter removal after benign gynecologic laparoscopy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Wanfang Data were searched from inception to November 30, 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Only randomized controlled trials published in English or Chinese comparing immediate versus delayed catheter removal after gynecologic laparoscopy for benign diseases were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative urinary retention (PUR). A random effects model was used to calculate pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Six studies were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in PUR between immediate and delayed catheter removal (RR 1.51, 95% CI 0.37-6.18), but the evidence was of very low quality. Subgroup analysis according to the type of surgery showed a higher rate of PUR with immediate removal after hysterectomy than after other surgeries. Immediate removal was associated a lower incidence of urinary tract infection and a shorter time to mobilization compared with delayed removal.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate removal of the urinary catheter is feasible and beneficial after benign gynecologic laparoscopy.