A randomized-controlled trial comparing an abdominally-anchored urethral catheter versus a thigh-anchored urethral catheter in controlling bleeding and pain after transurethral resection of the prostate

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effectiveness of abdominal placement of indwelling Foley catheter (IFC)versus thigh traction in the prevention of bleeding and pain after transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP).@*PATIENTS AND METHODS@#This randomized, controlled trial involves 91 patients who underwent TURP atJRRMMC. After TURP, 46 patients were inserted with a urethral catheter which was then anchoredto the thigh and placed on traction, while the catheter was anchored to the abdomen without applicationof any traction in the remaining 45. A simple dipstick test was used to check for the presence of bloodin urine on the 12th and 24th hour after the surgery. Intensity of pain from the catheter was assessedprior to discharge using a visual analogue score (VAS).@*RESULTS@#There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the amount of bloodin the urine at the 12th hour (p=1.00) and 24th hour (p=0.427) after TURP. The mean VAS score wassignificantly higher for the thigh traction group (5.17 vs 1.51, p=0.0001). Additionally, there weremore patients in the IFC thigh traction group who complained of moderate (65% vs 4.4%, p= 0.0001)and severe (20% vs 4.4%, p= 0.0001) pain.@*CONCLUSION@#Abdominal placement of IFC post TURP is an effective, safe and comfortable way incontrolling post-operative bleeding post-TURP. This method can provide better pain control.