Safety of Overnight Hospitalization after Transurethral Resection of Prostate

Abstract

Background: Monopolar transurethral resection of prostate has long been a standard method of managements of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The safe and superior efficacy of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) always argues strongly for maintaining it as the primary mode of therapy for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is a trend toward early catheter removal after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) even to the extent of performing it as a day case. We explored the safety and feasibility of early catheter removal and discharging the patient without catheter after TURP. Materials and methods: Forty patients who underwent monopolar TURP were included in a prospective study. The decision to remove catheters on the first morning after surgery was based on the color of the catheter effluent, absence of clots, normal vital signs and adequate urine output. Patients who voided successfully were discharged on the same day as catheter removal. Results: Among the forty patients whose catheters were removed on first postoperative day, 38 patients (95%) voided successfully, and were discharged on the same day. However, two out of forty patients (5%) were recatheterized due to urethral discomfort during micturition. The catheter was removed on the next day. Mean overall duration of catheterization was 18.36 hours, and overall length of patient hospitalization was 21.68 hours. Conclusions: Overnight hospitalization and early catheter removal after transurethral prostatectomy are an appropriate, safe and effective way of patient care with minimal morbidity.