OBJECTIVES: A prospective randomized study was used to determine the effect of early removal of urinary catheter in cesarean delivery on first-void discomfort, time of first spontaneous void, time of ambulation, length of hospital stay and the need for recatheterization.

METHODS: We randomly assigned 240 women delivered by elective or emergency cesarean section to a 24-hour indwelling catheterized group or to a 4-hour catheterized group. Prospective statistical methods were used to assess patient discomfort with the first postoperative void, time of ambulation, length of hospital stay, and need for recatheterization.

RESULTS: Of 120 women who had 4-hour catheterization, three (3.3 percent) patients needed postoperative recatheterization. The time of first spontaneous voiding was 9.92 hours (SD +/- 2.02) in the 4-hour catheterized group. Sixty patients (50 percent) of women in 4-hour catheterized group had discomfort on first void as compared to 100 patients (83 percent) in the 24-hour catheterized group. Ambulation time in 4-hour catheterized group was 13.15 hours (SD +/- 2.26) versus 25.46 hours (SD +/- 3.27) in the 24-hour catheterized group. The 4 hour catheterized group had a shorter hospital stay. Urinary tract infecton was not assessed in this study.

CONCLUSION: Early removal of urinary catheter after a cesarean section offers more advantages to the patient. Routine use of indwelling urinary catheter in patients with a stable hemodynamic condition is no longer necessary.