Feasibility of Do-It-Yourself Urinary Catheter Removal After Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

Urinary retention, common following pelvic reconstructive surgery, is typically managed with an indwelling catheter for several days as bladder function returns. To test the feasibility of women removing their own catheter at home, investigators randomized 158 women (mean age, 61; mean body-mass index, 28 kg/m²) to return to the clinic at 7 days or to self-remove the catheter at home.

Prevalence of urinary retention following catheter removal was similar in both groups (14%), establishing noninferiority for self-removal. Urinary tract infections were common in both groups (>50%). Women who removed their own catheters were less likely to require an office visit but more likely to call the office; they also reported higher satisfaction with th…