Should We Use Urinary Catheter Routinely at Cesarean Delivery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare intraoperative complications and postoperative morbidity of patients to whom urinary catheter were performed or not in cesarean deliveries. STUDY DESING: This study was designed as a prospective randomised study. Fifty patients (Group 1) who delivered with cesarean section after spontaneous mixture were compared with fifty patients (Group 2) to whom Foley urinary catheter were performed before the opertaion for intraoperative complications and postoperative morbidity. FINDINGS: There were no significant differences between the groups for age, gravity, parity, cesarean indications, factors those could increase postoperative infectious risks and operative time. No intraoperative complications were noticed in both groups. Postoperative mobilization was significantly earlier in Group 1 (6.58±1.69 hours vs 12.52±4.48 hours). The average time to first void was 5.24±3.53 hours in Group 1. In Group 2, two patients (% 4) who had glob vesicate required urinary catheter drainage (Both of them had epidural anesthesia). Urinary catheter was removed at 12.08±4.42 hours in Group 2 patients. There were no urinary tract infections in group 1, four in group 2 patients which reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Use of urinary catheter at cesarean delivery increases postoperative urinary tract infections. We think that use of urinary catheter at cesarean delivery is ineffective.