Should the Routine use of Urinary Catheters be Avoided in Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty?

Authors

Michael S. Baldwin, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Orthopaedic Surgery

Advisor

Vincent Dalton, MD.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Historically, patients undergoing general endotracheal anesthesia (GET), or spinal anesthesia for elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) would have an indwelling urinary catheter placed which was subsequently removed the following day or the next. The purpose was to be able to monitor intake and output (I&O), as a convenience for patients in the immediate post-operative period so they wouldn't have to get up in order to void, and immobility or pain issues.The patients were then at increased risk for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), postoperative urinary retention (POUR), delay in physical therapy (PT) mediated mobility, increased length of stay (LOS), and for the potential for a joint infection from hematogenous seeding from a urinary tract infection (UTI). Considering these risks, is it plausible to not routinely place indwelling urinary catheters in TJA patients and reserve their use for select patients with high-risk issues such as; morbid obesity, history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, urogenital abnormalities, mobility or non-weight bearing issues?

Recommended Citation

Baldwin MS. Should the Routine use of Urinary Catheters be Avoided in Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty?. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2020; 2(1).