A comparison of suprapubic and transurethral drainage for postoperative urinary retention in general surgical patients.

Percutaneous suprapubic bladder drainage, using an indwelling Silastic catheter, was compared with transurethral catheterization for the management of postoperative urinary retention in general surgical patients. In a prospective controlled trail, the overall incidence of postoperative retention was 7%. The urinary infection rate was 70% with transurethral catheterization and 8% with suprapubic drainage. Patients accepted suprapubic damage much more readily than transurethral cateterization and both medical and nursing personnel found the former method easier to manage effectively. Also, the patients' ability to pass urine spontaneously could be assessed without removing the catheter. However, minor mechanical complications were more common with suprapubic drainage. The cost of the two systems is comparable. We conclude that the routine use of suprapubic catheter drainage in the management of postoperative urinary retention significantly reduces the incidence of infection and is the preferred method of treating this common complication.