Urinary retention is a known complication following surgical procedures, with a theoretical increased risk in patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia due to a decreased ability to sense bladder distension. Urinary retention is associated with adverse events including bladder atony, increased post void residuals, and postoperative urinary tract infection. Treatment of urinary retention involves intermittent or indwelling urinary catheter placement, both of which are associated with an increased prevalence of postoperative urinary tract infection.

There currently is no consensus whether the use of a urinary catheter in elective joint arthroplasty with neuraxial anesthesia decreases the risk of urinary retention. The prevalence of retention reported in the literature varies widely with reports anywhere from 0% to 75% in patients with early removal of a catheter or after procedures performed without a catheter.

The goal of this study is to determine whether the routine use of an indwelling urinary catheter decreases the rate of postoperative urinary retention in patients undergoing elective joint arthroplasty.

Study Design

Treatment Groups:

Group 1 (Control): Short term urinary catheter- Patient will receive a urinary catheter at the time of the surgery. The urinary catheter will be removed upon arrival to the orthopedic floor post operatively. Patients will subsequently be monitored for urinary retention according to the Rush University Medical Center urinary retention protocol.

Group 2 (Experimental): No urinary catheter- Patients will not receive a urinary catheter at time of surgery. They will be monitored for urinary retention according to the Rush University Medical Center urinary retention protocol

Sample Size Calculation Based on a randomized controlled trial published by Miller et al in 2013, to detect a clinically significant difference of 7%, we would need 194 patients per group, or 388 patients. Assuming a drop-out rate of 10%, a total of 432 patients will be required. An interim analysis will be performed once half of this total is enrolled.

Urinary retention protocol:

Patients will be monitored closely for urinary retention according to current Rush University Medical Center Urinary Retention Protocol. After removal of catheter (control group) or from arrival in post-anesthesia care unit (experimental group), patients will be given 4 hours to void a volume corresponding to 30ml/hour. If the patient fails to do so, they will be bladder scanned. Bladder scan results of 450ml or greater will result in one time straight catheterization. If bladder scan shows 150 ml to 349 ml of urine, patients will be given an additional 4 hours to void and a repeat bladder scan will be performed. If unable to void at this point and/or bladder volume is >450, patient will receive a one time straight catheterization.

If bladder scan shows 350 ml to 449 ml of urine, patients will be given an additional 2 hours to void and a repeat bladder scan performed. If unable to void at this point and/or bladder volume is >450, patient will receive a one time straight catheterization.

If patients require a straight catheterization, they will be monitored with bladder scan according to protocol and a second straight catheterization will be performed if necessary. At time of second straight catheterization, a urinalysis will be sent. If patient requires a third straight catheterization, a urology consult will be placed according to protocol and patient will either receive an indwelling urinary catheter or intermittent straight catheterization with urology follow up.

Demographics, Patient Specifics Age, sex, short form 12 scores, american society of anesthesia (ASA) score, medical co-morbidities, weight, height, length of hospitalization, BMI, history of benign prostatic hypertrophy, presence of preoperative urinary tract infection (diagnosed during preadmission testing), intravenous fluids given during surgery, operating room time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, discharge destination (home versus rehabilitation facility), time to mobilization postoperatively, and length of urinary catheter usage.

At the time of enrollment in the study, patients will be given a urinary history questionnaire known as the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and be asked about history of urinary retention, history of incontinence, and history of polyuria to screen for preexisting urinary issues. Patients will receive a urinalysis as part of preoperative testing to screen for presence of urinary tract infection. Patients will receive standardized multimodal analgesic regimen that is utilized at Rush University Medical Center for patients undergoing a total joint replacement for perioperative and postoperative pain management. Modifications will be made on a case by case basis as is currently the standard practice (for example, allergy, intolerance, or medical contraindication such as acute kidney injury to NSAID use)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any patient >18 years of age scheduled for an inpatient primary hip or knee replacement

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a known history of prostate, urological or kidney surgery
• Patients where close monitoring of urine output are necessary during the perioperative period (renal disease, renal failure, chronic indwelling urinary catheter)
• Patients with a history of urinary incontinence
• Patients undergoing a revision total knee or total hip arthroplasty
• Patients requiring indwelling continuous epidural anesthesia
• Patients with a preexisting urinary tract infection, as diagnosed on preoperative screening.

Abstract and Manuscript write up upon completion of study

3 months following surgery, patients are followed for 90-day complications.

The participant (patient) will be blinded to whether they are receiving a short-term foley catheter or no foley.