Management of bladder function after outpatient surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to test a treatment algorithm for management of bladder function after outpatient general or local anesthesia. METHODS: Three hundred twenty-four outpatients, stratified into risk categories for urinary retention, were studied. Patients in category 1 were low-risk patients (n = 227) having non-pelvic surgery and randomly assigned to receive 10 ml/kg or 2 ml/kg of intravenous fluid intraoperatively. They were discharged when otherwise ready, without being required to void. Patients in category 2 (n = 40), also presumed to be low risk, had gynecologic surgery. High-risk patients included 31 patients having hernia or anal surgery (category 3), and 31 patients with a history of retention (category 4). Bladder volumes were monitored by ultrasound in those in categories 2-4, and patients were required to void (or be catheterized) before discharge. The incidence of retention and urinary tract symptoms after surgery were determined for all categories. RESULT: Urinary retention affected 0.5% of category 1 patients and none of category 2 patients. Median time to void after discharge was 75 min (interquartile range 120) in category 1 patients (n = 27) discharged without voiding. Fluids administered did not alter incidence of retention or time to void. Retention occurred in 5% of high-risk patients before discharge and recurred in 25% after discharge. CONCLUSION: In reliable patients at low risk for retention, voiding before discharge appears unnecessary. In high-risk patients, continued observation until the bladder is emptied is indicated to avoid prolonged overdistention of the bladder.     

Ambulatory Surgery Patients May Be Discharged before Voiding after Short-acting Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia

Background: Voiding before discharge is usually required after outpatient epidural or spinal anesthesia because of concern about bladder overdistention and dysfunction. Shorter duration spinal and epidural anesthesia may allow return of bladder function before overdistention occurs in low-risk patients (those younger than age 70, not having hernia, rectal, or urologic surgery, and without a history of voiding difficulty), and predischarge voiding may not be necessary.

Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed consent, 201 low-risk ambulatory patients were prospectively studied in either a standard or accelerated pathway after undergoing spinal or epidural anesthesia with procaine, lidocaine, 2-chloroprocaine, or less than 7 mg bupivacaine; epinephrine was not used in any anesthetic. Standard pathway patients (n = 70) were required to void before discharge. Accelerated pathway (n = 131) patients were not required to void. (After randomization of an initial 163 patients to one of the two tracks, 38 additional patients were assigned to the accelerated pathway.) If accelerated pathway patients voided, they were discharged when all other discharge criteria were met. If they did not spontaneously void after block resolution, a bladder ultrasound (BUS) was performed. If the BUS indicated a urine volume of less than 400 ml, the patients were discharged and instructed to return to the emergency department if they were unable to void within 8 h of discharge. If the BUS indicated a urine volume of greater than 400 ml, the patients were reassessed in 1 h and were discharged if they could void spontaneously. If they could not void spontaneously, they were catheterized to facilitate discharge. All patients were contacted the next day to assess the return of normal bladder function.

Results: All standard pathway patients voided without difficulty, and were discharged in 153 +/- 49 (SD) min. 62 patients in the accelerated pathway voided spontaneously after resolution of their block and were discharged in 127 +/- 41 min. 46 patients were discharged with a BUS less than 400 ml in 120 +/- 42 min. 23 patients had a BUS greater than 400 ml: of these, 20 patients voided within an hour and were discharged in 162 +/- 45 min. Three were catheterized after 1 h, and were discharged in 186 +/- 61 min. Mean discharge time for all patients in the accelerated pathway was 22 min shorter than the standard pathway (P = 0.002). No patients had difficulty voiding or returned to the hospital for urinary problems. None reported new urologic symptoms.     

Ambulatory surgery patients may be discharged before voiding after short-acting spinal and epidural anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Voiding before discharge is usually required after outpatient epidural or spinal anesthesia because of concern about bladder overdistention and dysfunction. Shorter duration spinal and epidural anesthesia may allow return of bladder function before overdistention occurs in low-risk patients (those younger than age 70, not having hernia, rectal, or urologic surgery, and without a history of voiding difficulty), and predischarge voiding may not be necessary. METHODS: After institutional review board approval and informed consent, 201 low-risk ambulatory patients were prospectively studied in either a standard or accelerated pathway after undergoing spinal or epidural anesthesia with procaine, lidocaine, 2-chloroprocaine, or less than 7 mg bupivacaine; epinephrine was not used in any anesthetic. Standard pathway patients (n = 70) were required to void before discharge. Accelerated pathway (n = 131) patients were not required to void. (After randomization of an initial 163 patients to one of the two tracks, 38 additional patients were assigned to the accelerated pathway.) If accelerated pathway patients voided, they were discharged when all other discharge criteria were met. If they did not spontaneously void after block resolution, a bladder ultrasound (BUS) was performed. If the BUS indicated a urine volume of less than 400 ml, the patients were discharged and instructed to return to the emergency department if they were unable to void within 8 h of discharge. If the BUS indicated a urine volume of greater than 400 ml, the patients were reassessed in 1 h and were discharged if they could void spontaneously. If they could not void spontaneously, they were catheterized to facilitate discharge. All patients were contacted the next day to assess the return of normal bladder function. RESULTS: All standard pathway patients voided without difficulty, and were discharged in 153 +/- 49 (SD) min. 62 patients in the accelerated pathway voided spontaneously after resolution of their block and were discharged in 127 +/- 41 min. 46 patients were discharged with a BUS less than 400 ml in 120 +/- 42 min. 23 patients had a BUS greater than 400 ml: of these, 20 patients voided within an hour and were discharged in 162 +/- 45 min. Three were catheterized after 1 h, and were discharged in 186 +/- 61 min. Mean discharge time for all patients in the accelerated pathway was 22 min shorter than the standard pathway (P = 0.002). No patients had difficulty voiding or returned to the hospital for urinary problems. None reported new urologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Delay of discharge after outpatient spinal or epidural anesthesia with short-duration drugs for low-risk procedures is not necessary, and may result in prolonged discharge times.     

Voiding in patients managed with or without ultrasound monitoring of bladder volume after outpatient surgery.

The goal of this study was to determine whether recovery room monitoring of bladder volume would affect patient outcome after ambulatory surgery. Incidence of urinary retention and times to void and to discharge were compared in 161 patients managed with ultrasound bladder monitoring versus 173 controls without bladder monitoring. Urinary retention was diagnosed by clinical means or by ultrasound, confirmed by bladder catheterization. Patients were required to void or were catheterized before discharge. In the control patients without underlying risk factors for retention, median time to void was 95 min, and retention occurred in 0.8%, which was not significantly different from the ultrasound group (80 min and 0%, respectively). After hernia/anal surgery or spinal/epidural anesthesia, voiding was delayed (130 and 213 min), incidence of retention was increased (17% and 13%), and there was a trend toward earlier voiding (168+/-99 vs. 138+/-68 min) with bladder monitoring. We conclude that most patients at low risk of retention void within 3 h of outpatient surgery; their outcome is unaffected by bladder monitoring. After hernia/anal surgery and spinal/ epidural anesthesia, the likelihood of urinary retention is increased, and ultrasound monitoring facilitates deciding whether such patients should be catheterized. IMPLICATIONS: Incidence of bladder catheterization and urinary retention were compared in patients managed with and without ultrasound monitoring of bladder volume after outpatient surgery. Monitoring did not alter outcome in patients at low risk of retention, but it facilitated determining when to catheterize patients at high risk of retention (hernia/anal surgery, spinal/epidural anesthesia).     

Management of postoperative urinary retention: a randomized trial of in-out versus overnight catheterization

BACKGROUND: There has been no consensus on the best catheterization strategy for the management of postoperative urinary retention. A prospective randomized trial was undertaken to establish the best practice guidelines for the management of postoperative urinary retention. The authors also evaluated the contemporary incidence of urinary retention following different categories of general surgery and examined risk factors associated with its occurrence. METHODS: All patients who underwent elective inpatient surgery between January 2002 and June 2003 were recruited into the study. Patients who developed postoperative urinary retention were randomized to either having in-out catheterization or placement of an indwelling catheter for 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 1448 patients was recruited. The overall incidence of urinary retention was 4.1% (n = 60). Significant risk factors associated with postoperative urinary retention included old age, anorectal procedures and use of spinal anaesthesia. Comparison of re-catheterization and urinary tract infection rates between patients who were treated with in-out versus overnight catheterization found no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative urinary retention should be managed by in-out catheterization. Indwelling catheterization for 24 h appeared to bestow no additional benefits. The incidence of urinary retention increases with age, anorectal procedures and the use of spinal anaesthesia.     

Midnight removal of urinary catheters — Improved outcome after gynecological surgery

By convention, most indwelling urethral catheters are removed in the morning. The authors carried out a randomized prospective study of 101 patients with postoperative urethral catheters and compared midnight removal with the more usual practice of morning removal. Patients were randomized into two groups: group A (n=46) had their catheters removed at 6:00 am and group B (n=49) had their catheters removed at midnight. Six patients were excluded from the study (1 patient on distigmine and 5 with preexisting urinary tract infections). The groups were comparable in age, use of night sedation, operative procedures and incidence of postoperative urinary tract infections. Patients in group B passed urine a median of 1 hour 40 minutes earlier, with a median volume 175 ml greater than group A (P=0.012 and <0.001); 13 patients in group A subsequently required recatheterization for urinary retention, compared to only 6 patients in group B. Patients in group B were also discharged significantly earlier from hospital (median of 2 days earlier from removal of catheter) than those in group A (P=0.032). Midnight removal of indwelling catheters after gynecologic surgery significantly decreases hospitalization and improves bladder function in terms of time and volume of first void.     

Bilateral extravesical ureteral reimplantation in toilet trained children: Is 1-day hospitalization without urinary retention possible?

PURPOSE: Bilateral extravesical ureteral reimplantation has been associated with urinary retention. We developed a critical pathway and modification of surgical technique to determine whether the bilateral extravesical procedure could be performed in toilet trained children with patients discharged home after a 1-day hospitalization and without urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 consecutive toilet trained children were evaluated after undergoing bilateral extravesical ureteral reimplantation using a modified technique that limits ureteral dissection, ureteral mobilization and detrusor dissection to as distally as possible so that a 5:1 ratio of tunnel length to ureteral diameter can be accomplished. No surgical dissection occurs in proximity to the obliterated umbilical artery, nor is the artery ligated. Patients follow a strict postoperative critical pathway, and parents receive extensive preoperative and postoperative education. A child is required to fulfill 5 strict criteria to be discharged from the hospital. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 1.9 to 12.8 years (mean 4.9), with 37 girls and 13 boys participating. All patients were discharged home on postoperative day 1. All patients were able to void postoperatively without any instances of urinary retention. None of the children had acute urinary tract infections or required rehospitalization. All patients had radiographic resolution of the vesicoureteral reflux on postoperative voiding cystourethrogram. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate that bilateral extravesical ureteroneocystostomy can be performed in selected patients without postoperative urinary retention and with uniform hospital discharge in 1 day. The critical pathway and limited dissection extravesical approach are essential for this success.     

Acute urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Effect of alpha-adrenergic blockade

The alpha-adrenergic blocker phenoxybenzamine has been shown to be useful in the treatment of prostatism. To assess the place of phenoxybenzamine in the management of acute retention, 43 patients presenting with acute urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia were catheterized suprapubically. They were then randomized to receive either oral phenoxybenzamine (10 mg b.i.d.; n = 21), or placebo tablets (n = 22). Forty-eight hours later, the bladder of each patient was filled through the catheter with 300 ml sterile saline, the catheter was clamped, and the patient encouraged to void. Only 2 of 21 (10%) patients receiving phenoxybenzamine and 3 of 22 (14%) receiving placebo were able to void satisfactorily (p = NS). In this study phenoxybenzamine had no place in the management of acute retention of urine secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

A comparison of ketorolac tromethamine/oxycodone versus patient-controlled analgesia with morphine in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients

Effective postoperative analgesia with minimal side effects remains an important goal in enabling increasingly complex surgical procedures to be performed on an outpatient basis. In this study, we examined the efficacy of postoperative analgesia in 90 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft, with a 24-hour hospital stay. Patients were randomized to receive either intramuscular ketorolac supplemented by oral oxycodone, or intravenous morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device, for postoperative analgesia. Patients were monitored for 2 hours in the recovery room, then every 4 hours until discharge, for the presence of complications of nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, pruritus, and dizziness. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) on the morning of postoperative day one. All patients were discharged by 24 hours after surgery. Ten (20%) of the patients receiving ketorolac/oxycodone versus 31 (79%) of those receiving PCA morphine experienced postoperative complications (P < .05). Postoperative nausea, vomiting, and urinary retention were each significantly more common in the PCA morphine group (P < .05). The incidence of pruritus and dizziness was low overall. There was no significant difference between groups in the severity of postoperative pain as assessed using a VAS. We conclude that ketorolac/oxycodone may provide comparable analgesia with fewer undesirable side effects than PCA morphine in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Patients receiving ketorolac/oxymorphone may have a better quality recovery and more rapid discharge. (Arthroscopy 1998 Nov-Dec;14(8):816-9.)     

Morbidity and the impact on daily activities associated with catheter drainage after acute urinary retention

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on quality of life of being discharged home with a catheter before definitive treatment in patients with acute urinary retention (AUR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients attending the emergency department with AUR were assessed and discharged home with a catheter if they fulfilled predetermined criteria. They were admitted to the day-care unit for urological assessment and completed a disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 101 patients presenting to the emergency department in AUR, 84 were sent home after catheterization (83%); 78 (93%) patients completed the questionnaire. The major side-effects reported were urinary leak (46%), mild haematuria (44%), urgency (42%), pain around the penis (42%), painful erection (31%) and catheter blockage (26%). Only 12% of patients felt having a catheter was very inconvenient and 93% would find it acceptable to have a catheter in future. CONCLUSION: A significant minority of patients discharged home with a catheter had side-effects related to their catheter but were not greatly inconvenienced, and their capacity to carry out normal daily activities was not impaired. The immediate discharge of patients in AUR and planned treatment will enable better use of inpatient urology resources.     

Is transurethral resection of the prostate safe and effective in the over 80-year-old?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patients over 80 years old. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of all patients over 80 years old undergoing TURP at one institution over a 3.5-year period were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: 31% of patients underwent TURP for symptoms and 68% for urinary retention. The early complication rate was 41%. The late complication rate was 22%. There were no deaths within 30 days of surgery. Of all patients, 80% were satisfied with the outcome of their operation. Of all patients with retention, 80% were able to void with small residual volumes by 6 weeks after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Although TURP in the over 80-year-old male is associated with significant morbidity, it is an effective treatment for urinary symptoms or retention. The majority of patients are able to void afterwards and are satisfied with the outcome of their surgery.     

Day-case haemorrhoidectomy

BACKGROUND: Ligation excision haemorrhoidectomy is usually performed on an inpatient basis. This study was designed to assess the feasibility of day-case haemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: Patients fulfilling criteria for day surgery underwent ligation excision haemorrhoidectomy with the intention of a same-day discharge from hospital. A standardized protocol for anaesthesia, perioperative analgesia and antiemesis was followed. Patients received daily home nursing visits until they felt both comfortable and confident. Staff recorded pain and nausea scores on a visual analogue scale (range 1-10) until the first bowel action. Patient satisfaction was assessed independently after operation. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients underwent planned day-case haemorrhoidectomy. Forty-two (82 per cent) were discharged on the day of surgery. All patients were discharged within 26 h of surgery. Four patients required readmission, two with reactive bleeding, one with urinary retention and one for pain control. Pain and nausea were well controlled. Forty-four patients (86 per cent) were totally or very satisfied with their overall care. CONCLUSION: Ligation excision haemorrhoidectomy can be performed successfully as a day-case procedure.     

Delay of hospital discharge secondary to postoperative fever--is it necessary?

Although postoperative fever is common after major gynecologic surgery, the majority of patients have no identifiable infectious or pathologic etiology. Traditional management has been to delay hospital discharge until the patient is afebrile. The authors evaluate the outcome of patients discharged with postoperative fever after major gynecologic surgery. In a retrospective review of 537 women undergoing major gynecologic surgery, 211 (39%) had postoperative fever. The authors identified all patients who were discharged despite having a temperature of 38 degrees C or higher (> or = 100.4 degrees F) in the preceding 12 hours. All outpatient and inpatient records for a period of 30 days were reviewed. Thirty-eight (18%) of 211 patients who were febrile postoperatively were discharged despite having a fever within the preceding 12 hours. One patient was lost to follow-up. Two (5%) of 37 patients had a documented infection (one urinary tract infection and one postoperative wound infection). Four (11%) were readmitted within 30 days for noninfectious causes. None of the patients discharged on oral antibiotics had an antibiotic-related complication. Eighty-four percent of patients discharged with a postoperative fever did not have a documented infectious or pathologic cause for the fever while at home.     

Ambulatory Continuous Posterior Lumbar Plexus Nerve Blocks after Hip Arthroplasty: A Dual-center, Randomized, Triple-masked, Placebo-controlled Trial

Background: The authors tested the hypotheses that after hip arthroplasty, ambulation distance is increased and the time required to reach three specific readiness-for-discharge criteria is shorter with a 4-day ambulatory continuous lumbar plexus block (cLPB) than with an overnight cLPB.

Methods: A cLPB consisting of 0.2% ropivacaine was provided from surgery until the following morning. Patients were then randomly assigned either to continue ropivacaine or to be switched to normal saline. Primary endpoints included (1) time to attain three discharge criteria (adequate analgesia, independence from intravenous analgesics, and ambulation >= 30 m) and (2) ambulatory distance in 6 min the afternoon after surgery. Patients were discharged with their cLPB and a portable infusion pump, and catheters were removed on the fourth postoperative day.

Results: Patients given 4 days of perineural ropivacaine (n = 24) attained all three discharge criteria in a median (25th-75th percentiles) of 29 (24-45) h, compared with 51 (42-73) h for those of the control group (n = 23; estimated ratio = 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.92; P = 0.011). Patients assigned to receive ropivacaine ambulated a median of 34 (9-55) m the afternoon after surgery, compared with 20 (6-46) m for those receiving normal saline (estimated ratio = 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-3.0; P = 0.42). Three falls occurred in subjects receiving ropivacaine (13%), versus none in subjects receiving normal saline.     

Primary resection and anastomosis for perforated left colon lesions.

The records of 33 patients with perforated left colon lesions over a 6-year period from 1992 to 1998 were examined retrospectively for clinical course and complications. All patients had a free perforation, feculent or purulent peritonitis, and/or a large inflammatory mass. All patients had primary resection and anastomosis without a protective colostomy or ileostomy. Indications included diverticulitis in 28 patients, obstructing colorectal carcinoma in 3, and iatrogenic perforations in 2. Complications occurred in 10 patients, including atelectasis in 1, urinary retention in 2, urinary tract infections in 2, wound infections in 3, line catheter sepsis in 1, and acute tubular necrosis in 1. There was one anastomotic dehiscence, which was successfully converted to a Hartmann procedure. Patients were discharged an average of 7 days after surgery. Two patients required surgery after discharge: one had a fascial dehiscence and the other an incisional ventral hernia. There was no mortality. Primary resection and anastomosis of selected perforated left colon lesions can be performed with a morbidity and mortality rate lower than that usually reported for the Hartmann procedure.     

Long Term Follow Up of Men with Alfuzosin who Voided Successfully Following Acute Urinary Retention*

Introduction Acute urinary retention (AUR) is one of the commonest causes of admission in urology ward and successful voiding with α-blockers has been reported. However, long-term efficacy of Alfuzosin, following an episode of AUR is lacking. This is a continuation of our earlier reported study. We report the results of a 4 year follow-up on patients who were on Alfuzosin SR 5 mg BD, following resumption of voiding after an episode of AUR. Patients and methods A total of 33 patients voided successfully following AUR in our original study. These patients continued on Alfuzosin SR 5 mg BD and were assessed at 2 and 4 years. Symptomatic assessment was performed with IPSS and QOL symptom score and objective assessment was with urinary flow rate and post void residual volume. Patients who continued to deteriorate symptomatically and objectively or developed further AUR were listed for surgery. Results Out of 33 patients, 28 patients were followed up at 2 years (three patients died due to various medical reasons and two did not attend for follow-up). Nineteen patients (68%) underwent transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) for severe lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) .The mean peak flow rate at 2 years was 8.4 ml/s and the mean residual volume was 112 ml. Ten patients attended for follow up at 4 years. The mean flow rate was 5.17 ml/s and the mean post-void residual volume was 101 ml. Four patients underwent TURP for severe outflow symptoms. At 4 years follow up 24 out of 30 patients (80%) on Alfuzosin needed TURP. Conclusions These data do not support the long term use of α-blockers in patients who voided successfully after acute urinary retention. * Funding: Lorex Synthelabo Pharma.     

Sacral neuromodulation for nonobstructive urinary retention--is success predictable?

PURPOSE: We investigated whether there are factors which can predict successful stage II (permanent) sacral nerve stimulator (InterStim) implantation for patients with nonobstructive urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our sacral neuromodulation database from January 1, 1999 to January 1, 2006. A total of 29 patients were referred to the William Beaumont Hospital Department of Urology for nonobstructive urinary retention. All patients completed a 3-day voiding log followed by test stimulation. Patients underwent test stimulation for a 2-week trial period. Those who experienced 50% improvement in void volume and/or catheterization frequency subsequently underwent permanent implantation. We reviewed patient charts with respect to age, sex, duration of retention, underlying diagnosis for retention and voiding ability. RESULTS: Of the 29 patients 15 were men and 14 were women. Mean patient age was 58.8+/-16 years (range 18 to 82). The mean age of the men in the study was 55.5+/-18 years while the mean age of the women was 62.3+/-14 years. Although all the patients performed intermittent self-catheterization 18 were able to void (more than 50 cc per void). The remaining 11 patients had minimal (50 cc or less) or no ability to void. Of the 18 patients who were able to void 12 (67%) underwent successful permanent implantation. However, voiding improved after test stimulation in only 2 of the 11 patients (18%) who had been unable to void. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.02) and suggests that pre-implantation ability to void can predict success of test stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Patient ability to void predicts success of first stage test stimulation. Although we would still offer a trial of sacral neuromodulation to those with nonobstructive urinary retention and the inability to void, this study would allow better counseling regarding the likelihood of successful outcome.     

Preoperative administration of controlled-release oxycodone for the management of pain after ambulatory laparoscopic tubal ligation surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the analgesic efficacy of administering controlled-release (CR) oxycodone 10 mg before elective ambulatory laparoscopic tubal ligation surgery. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind study. PATIENTS: 50 healthy women presenting for elective ambulatory laparoscopic tubal ligation surgery. SETTING: Ambulatory surgery center of a university hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Fifty patients were administered either placebo (n = 25) or CR oxycodone 10 mg (n = 25) 1 hour before surgery. All patients were administered a similar general anesthetic. In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), fentanyl 25 microg was administered for a verbal analog scale (VAS) pain score >or=3. Patients were discharged home when they were awake and alert, had stable vital signs, were able to void, tolerated oral fluids, experienced no side effects, had a VAS or=3. MEASUREMENTS: VAS pain scores and the frequency of postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded in the PACU. While at home, patients were contacted by telephone after surgery and asked about their pain score, time to first analgesic use, frequency of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and total acetaminophen/oxycodone use in the 24 hours following surgery. MAIN RESULTS: Patients in the CR oxycodone group had a shorter time to discharge (p < 0.001), reported lower postoperative pain scores (p < 0.001), lower frequency of postoperative nausea and vomiting (p < 0.05), longer time to first analgesic use (p < 0.0,001), and required less fentanyl in the PACU (p < 0.01) and fewer acetaminophen/oxycodone tablets in the 24 hours following surgery. CONCLUSION: The preoperative administration of CR oxycodone 10 mg is an effective analgesic technique in the management of pain following ambulatory laparoscopic tubal ligation surgery, and may facilitate earlier postoperative discharge.     

Perineal salvage prostatectomy for radiation resistant prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: No data are available on the use of perineal prostatectomy for salvage treatment of local recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy. Here we report on the clinical aspects and follow-up of salvage perineal prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients underwent a perineal salvage prostatectomy from 1997-2005 for biopsy-proven local recurrent prostate cancer after external beam (n=22) or brachyradiotherapy (n=5). Staging included physical examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography scan, and bone scan. RESULTS: Mean PSA before surgery was 8.6 ng/ml (+/-2.8 ng/ml). Comparing clinical staging with final pathologic staging after salvage perineal prostatectomy showed a 67% clinical understaging. Mean blood loss was 677 cc, and perioperative morbidity consisted of prolonged anastomotic leakage (n=8), urosepsis (n=3), prolonged hematuria (n=3), urinary retention (n=2), and rectal perforation (n=1). One patient died during the postoperative course because of urosepsis and endocarditis. At an interval of at least 12 mo after surgery, 37% (10 of 27) and 7% (2 of 27) of patients reported normal continence and erectile function, respectively. Five patients died during a mean follow-up of 43 mo; two patients died of prostate cancer. Five-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was 31% (95%CI, 25-42%). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis the serum PSA and PSA doubling time (PSADT) at the time of surgery were the best predictors of biochemical recurrence-free survival. No patient with a PSA>2 ng/ml and a PSADT<12 mo was without biochemical recurrence 2 yr after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage perineal prostatectomy showed functional results that favorably compare with the retropubic approach, but considerable morbidity is still frequent. Proper patient selection therefore is mandatory. A serum PSA level of >2 ng/ml and PSADT<12 mo independently predict shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival.     

Interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate for management of acute urinary retention

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical efficacy and benefit of interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate (ILCP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presenting with acute urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting with acute urinary retention were prospectively evaluated. Patients underwent ILCP and outcomes were evaluated by post-void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostate Symptom Score, and disease specific quality of life score at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients were enrolled in the study and 53 were diagnosed with acute urinary retention secondary to BPH. A total of 33 were not catheter-free after a week and 28 of them agreed to undergo ILCP. Mean preoperative prostate volume was 54.6 ml (range 23.0 to 130.0) and mean residual volume presenting with retention was 602 ml (range 200 to 1,150). There were no intraoperative or postoperative adverse events except urinary infection in 2 patients. Mean catheterization duration was 6.3 days (range 3 to 18) and all patients became catheter-free postoperatively. Mean followup was 16.9 months (range 7 to 31). Mean maximum flow rate (+/-SD) was 11.2 ml per second (+/-5.7) 3 months after treatment. Mean International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life scores decreased from 23.1 (+/-6.4) at baseline to 8.0 (+/-5.3) at 3 months (p <0.001), and 5.0 (+/-1.2) to 1.9 (+/-1.6, p <0.001), respectively. Mean estimated prostate volume decreased by 19.4% (54.6 to 44.0 ml) 6 months postoperatively (p <0.001). Only 2 patients had recurrent urinary retention during followup. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that ILCP is a safe and effective therapy for patients with BPH presenting with acute urinary retention.