Liping Song

Background: Urinary catheterization is universally used during surgery, and the incidence of postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is very high during recovery. We conducted this study to identify the incidence and predictors of postoperative CRBD after gynaecological surgery in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Patients undergoing gynaecological surgery under general anesthesia with intra-operative urinary catheterization were enrolled. We collected the clinical data, incidence and severity of CRBD, and postoperative pain for the patients. Predictive factors of CRBD were analysed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 407 patients were included in this study. The incidence of CRBD after gynaecological surgery was 64.6% (mild CRBD: 22.8%; moderate CRBD: 34.2%; and severe CRBD: 7.6%). Univariate analysis showed that age, type of surgery, type of laparoscopic surgery, additional analgesics, and postoperative pain were influencing factors for CRBD. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, age ≥ 50 years, uterus-related laparoscopic surgery, and lack of additional analgesics were independent predictors of moderate or severe CRBD. Conclusions: This observational study revealed that the incidence of CRBD after gynaecological surgery in PACU was very high. Age ≥ 50 years, uterus-related laparoscopic surgery, and lack of additional analgesics were independent predictors of CRBD. Trial registration: ChiCTR1800016390. Registered on 30 May 2018.

Intra-operative urinary catheterization frequently causes postoperative catheter related bladder discomfort (CRBD) during recovery. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of tramadol, which with muscarinic receptor antagonist property, as a treatment for CRBD. Ninety patients who underwent elective gynecological surgery and complained of CRBD in the (PACU) were randomized into three groups of 30 each. Group A received normal saline, group B 1 mg/kg tramadol, and group C 1.5 mg/kg tramadol. The medication was administered from the Murphy’s dropper with a slow drip, and the severity of CRBD (none, mild, moderate, and severe) and postoperative pain were assessed after 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 6 h. The severity of CRBD was reduced in group C compared with that in groups A and B at 1 h, and in groups C and B compared with that in group A at 2 h. The incidence of CRBD was reduced in group C compared with that in groups A and B at 2 h, and in group C compared with that in group A at 6 h. The visual analog scale (VAS) was reduced in group C compared with that in groups A and B at all time intervals. No differences in adverse effects were observed. Tramadol 1.5 mg/kg was more effective than tramadol 1 mg/kg in treating CRBD and reducing postoperative pain, without significant side effects. ChiCTR1800016390 . Registered on 30 May 2018.