Non-invasive measurement of bladder volume as an indication for bladder catheterization after orthopaedic surgery and its effect on urinary tract infections

A non-invasive ultrasound imaging technique (BladderScan) was used prospect ively in an attempt to reduce the need for catheterization of the urinary b ladder and the incidence of urinary tract infections after orthopaedic surg ery. Over a 4-month period, in which 1920 patients were included, catheteri zation was performed if there was no spontaneous diuresis by 8 h after surg ery. A total of 31% of these patients were catheterized, and 18 patients de veloped urinary tract infections. In a subsequent 4-month period, there wer e 2196 patients, catheterization was performed only if the bladder volume w as more than 800 mL 8 h after surgery. The rate of catheterization decrease d to 16%, and five patients developed urinary tract infections. In our pati ents, measuring bladder volume reduced the need for a urinary catheter and the likelihood of urinary infection.