The Feasibility and Safety of No Placement of Urinary Catheter Following Lung Cancer Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study With 2,495 Cases

Abstract

Objectives

The study was aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of avoiding urinary catheterization after surgery in patients undergoing lung cancer resection.

Methods

Between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017, the patients with primary lung cancer who received lobectomy or segmental resection via video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in our department were screened. Based on whether a urinary catheter was inserted after surgery, patients were divided into urinary catheter (UC) group or non-UC group, and rates of postoperative urinary retention (POUR), urinary catheter re-insertion and urinary tract infection (UTI) were compared.

Results

There was no difference in International prostate symptom score (p = .268) between the groups, but a higher Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) score was found in UC group [4.0 (3.0 4.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0, 4.0); p < .001], with a higher proportion of patients with agitation (SAS score > 4; 17.3%, 317/1,835 vs. 12.9%, 86/660, p = .008). In contrast, a higher rate of POUR was observed in non-UC group (11.2%, 74/660 vs. 7.4%, 136/1,835, p = .003), whereas the rate of UTI was significantly lower in this group (5.8%, 38/660 vs. 8.3%, 153/1,835, p = .033). Multivariable analysis revealed the non-placement of UC as the independent factor for POUR (OR: 1.542, 95%CI: 1.135-2.095, p = .006) and UTI (OR: 0.664, 95%CI: 0.459–0.962, p = .031).

Conclusion

This retrospective study with large sample of 2,495 patients provided evidence to the hypothesis that avoiding urinary catheterization contributed to decrease in the incidence of UTI and was safe and feasible in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.

Keywords:

• urinary catheter
• lung cancer surgery
• postoperative urinary retention
• urinary tract infection
• re-insertion
• thoracic

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest to disclose.