Catheterisation for nephrectomy?

A retrospective review of 64 nephrectomies performed in 1985 and 1986 revealed an incidence of postoperative catheterisation of 48%, compared with 20% in an age and sex matched group of patients undergoing cholecystectomy (P less than 0.01). In the 27 male patients over 40 years of age undergoing nephrectomy, there was a 75% incidence of postoperative catheterisation. A figure of 47% was found for the comparable female group. We recommend that routine peroperative catheterisation should be performed in patients over 40 years of age undergoing a nephrectomy.