Urinary Catheterization Versus No Catheterization in Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair

This study evaluates whether routine urinary catheterization is necessary in patients undergoing laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. Urinary catheters are sometimes used during laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery to empty the bladder and facilitate surgical dissection. However, catheterization may cause postoperative urinary discomfort, dysuria, and urethral pain. Avoiding routine catheterization may reduce these symptoms without increasing the risk of postoperative urinary retention. In this prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial, 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair were randomly assigned by a lottery-based method to receive either routine urinary catheterization or no urinary catheterization. The primary outcome is the incidence of dysuria on postoperative day 1. Secondary outcomes include urinary or urethral pain, pain severity assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), postoperative urinary retention, surgical complications, and hernia recurrence. Urinary symptoms and complications are assessed on postoperative days 1, 10, and 30. Hernia recurrence is evaluated during a six-month follow-up period. The study aims to determine whether omitting routine urinary catheterization reduces postoperative urinary symptoms without compromising patient safety.

Inclusion Criteria: Clinical or radiological diagnosis of inguinal hernia. Scheduled laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. Exclusion Criteria: Scrotal inguinal hernia. Prolapsed inguinal hernia.