When Should We Remove Urinary Catheter After TVT Procedure

As like most gynecologic operations, after tension-free vaginal tape, urinary catheter usually has been stayed to prevent postoperative urinary retention. Our aim at this study was to compare effects of early versus delayed catheter removal after tension-free vaginal tape. Patients with stress urinary incontinence observed with cough stress test or intrinsic sphincter deficiency detected on urodynamic evaluation were included. Patients with pelvic organ prolapse, positive or unavailable preoperative urine culture report, comorbid systemic illness, and TVT performed with benign or malign gynecologic surgeries were excluded from the study. Computer-generated randomization was used, and allocation group was kept in closed envelope: group I: catheter removed within first 6 h after surgery (0–6 h) and group II: catheter removed 24 h later. Seventy patients performed TVT for stress urinary incontinence were enrolled in this study and equally assigned to two groups. Of 35, 4 patients (11.4%) required recatheterization in group I while no one from late removal group. Twelve patients (34.2%) had positive culture at day 2 postoperative from group II as compared with 4 patients (11.4%) of group I (P = 0.042). Both of the two groups’ success rate after postoperative 2 weeks examination with cough-stress test was similar to 32 patients (91.4%) for group I whereas 33 patients (94.2%) for group II. Early removing of catheter after TVT did not affect operation success rate. It was also associated with a lower incidence of urinary tract infections and lower incidence of positive urine culture. Beside this, there was no adverse outcome like significant rate of recatheterization.