Immediate Versus Early (24-hours) Urinary Catheter Removal After Elective Minimally Invasive Colonic Resection

Immediate Versus Early (24-hours) Urinary Catheter Removal After Elective Minimally Invasive Colonic Resection: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Multicenter, Non-inferiority Trial

The primary aim of this study is to compare the rate of acute urinary retention (AUR) after immediate compared to early (24-hours) removal of urinary catheter (UC) in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal resection. The study hypothesis is that immediate UC removal is non-inferior to 24-hours UC removal in terms of AUR rate.

The secondary outcomes focus on goals that could be positively impacted by the immediate removal of the UC at the end of the surgery. In particular, the rate of urinary tract infections, perception of pain, time-to-return of bowel and physical functions, postoperative complications and postoperative length of stay will all be measured.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18 years and 80 years old
2. Patients scheduled to undergo minimally invasive resection of the colon under general anesthesia
3. Willingness to participate
4. Compliance to study purpose
5. Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Need for an anastomosis below the anterior peritoneal reflection
2. Need for a major resection other than colorectal
3. Need for post-operative intensive care monitoring or intensive care unit (ICU) stay
4. Anesthesia time longer than 300 minutes
5. Presence of chronic indwelling UC
6. Presence of an entero-vesical fistula
7. Need for ureteral stent placement, bladder resection or repair
8. A previous and unsolved history of AUR or overt voiding dysfunction