Objective: To evaluate the effect of placement of urethral catheter combined with lidocaine on urethral irritation caused by postoperative indwelling catheters.
Methods: A total of 120 male surgical patients requiring postoperative indwelling catheters between June 2011 and January 2012 were divided into two equal groups for placement of painless urethral catheter combined with bladder washing with lidocaine on the first postoperative day, or for routine catheter placement only. The symptoms of urethral irritation such as urethral pain, urinary urgency, and perineal discomforts were observed and compared between the two groups.
Results: In patients with painless urethral catheter placement combined with bladder washing with lidocaine, 11 developed urethral irritation symptoms, as compared to 24 in the patients with routine catheter placement only, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Placement of painless urethral catheter combined with bladder washing with lidocaine can significantly reduce the incidence of urethral irritation due to postoperative indwelling catheters.