Introduction & Objective: This belief that overfilling the bladder after anterior colporrhaphy might have a negative influence on surgical outcome, causes routine catheterization after operation. This study was done to compare short term (24h) with long term (72h) catheterization after anterior colporrhaphy.

Materials & Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out at Kosar Hospital , Qazvin (Iran) in 2005-2006. One hundred cases candidating for anterior colporrhaphy , were divided in two equal groups . In the first group foley catheter was removed 24 hours and in the second group 72 hours after the operation. Before removing catheter, urine sample was obtained for culture . After removal and urination, residual volume was determinded. If the volume exceeded 200 ml or retention occured, the catheter would be fixed for more 72 hours. Need for recatheterization, urinary retention, positive urine culture,and hospital stay were surveyed. The data was analyzed using T and Fisher tests.

Results: Residual volume exceeding 200 ml and the need for recatheterization occurred in one case (2%) in the short term group but in the long term group none of the subjects needed recatheterization (P=1). Retention was not seen. In the both groups, one case (2%) had positive urine culture with no statistically significant difference (P=1). Mean hospital stay was short in the first group (P=0.00).

Conclusion: Short term catheterization after anterior colporrhaphy does not cause urinary retention and decreases hospital stay