Impact of catheter size on pain and continence following robotic prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION Continence and catheter related pain following prostatectomy are significant patient concerns, and it is unknown whether catheter size impacts these variables. In this study, patients undergoing prostatectomy were randomized to receive either a 16 French or 20 French catheter to assess the impact of catheter size on postoperative continence and pain. Materials and methods Patients were prospectively randomized to receive either a 16 French or a 20 French latex catheter at the completion of prostatectomy. Subjects were asked on postoperative day 7 to report their average catheter-related pain and the amount of opioid medication used. International Prostate Symptom Score, Quality of Life score and pads per day were recorded 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Results Fifty-two patients were randomized. Seven were excluded: surgeon catheter preference (3) or withdrawal of consent (4). Demographic and pathologic data did not differ between groups (all p > 0.20). Catheter pain scores and postoperative opioid use were not different between groups (all p > 0.78). Postoperative subjective urinary symptom scores, and pads per day did not differ between groups at both 6 and 12 weeks (all p > 0.16). Conclusions Catheter size did not impact postoperative urethral and bladder pain or continence prostatectomy. These data suggest that surgeon preference should guide catheter selection between 16-20 French. Future studies might investigate precise intraoperative anastomosis size measurement and the impact of catheter size on pain scores in a nonoperative population.