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Trial registered on ANZCTR


Registration number
ACTRN12611000414910
Ethics application status
Approved
Date submitted
19/04/2011
Date registered
20/04/2011
Date last updated
1/12/2021
Date data sharing statement initially provided
1/12/2021
Date results information initially provided
1/12/2021
Type of registration
Prospectively registered

Titles & IDs
Public title
Bladder Care Following Laparoscopy for Benign Non-Hysterectomy Gynaecological Conditions – A Randomised Controlled Trial
Scientific title
A randomised controlled trial of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for benign non-hysterectomy gynaecological conditions, randomising patients to either immediate removal of the urinary catheter or removal on the first post-operative day, comparing any difference in the rate of urinary tract infection and voiding dysfunction.
Secondary ID [1] 260034 0
Nil
Universal Trial Number (UTN)
Trial acronym
Linked study record

Health condition
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied:
Post-operative bladder care following laparoscopy for benign non-hysterectomy gynaecological conditions 265692 0
Condition category
Condition code
Renal and Urogenital 265829 265829 0 0
Other renal and urogenital disorders

Intervention/exposure
Study type
Interventional
Description of intervention(s) / exposure
It is standard surgical practice to place an indwelling catheter during laparoscopy for gynaecological surgery to increase visualisation of the pelvic organs and to minimise the risk of intraoperative bladder injuries, in particular at the placement of the suprapubic laparoscopic port. It is the practice of some surgeons to leave the urinary catheter in situ post-operatively, whilst others remove the catheter immediately post-operatively.

The primary objective of this clinical investigation is to determine whether immediate removal of the urinary catheter after laparoscopic surgery for benign non-hysterectomy gynaecological conditions (excluding surgery for prolapse and urinary incontinence) will affect the rate of post-operative complications involving the urinary tract.

Patients in the immediate catheter removal group will have the urinary catheter removed in the operating theatre at the completion of surgery.

With regards to bladder function, the patient is considered fit for discharge when she is able to void >=150 ml on two successive occasions. Other factors may prevent discharge and these will be documented.

This reflects the current standard practice at many institutions after laparoscopy for benign gynaecological conditions (except prolapse and incontinence).

In addition to the above standard practice, study subjects allocated to this group will also have their PVR measured by bladder scan (in accordance to the parameters outlined above). Medical staff and the study subjects will be blinded from the results of the bladder scan. Accordingly, the decision for timing of hospital discharge is not influenced by the results of the bladder scan. This reflects the current standard practice at many institutions where bladder scans are not routinely performed after laparoscopy for benign gynaecological conditions.

Bladder scans may be performed when there is a clinical indication to measure the PVR (for example, when the subject is unable to void >=150 ml on two successive occasions). The results of these bladder scans, and how they influence the management and timing of hospital discharge, will be documented.
Intervention code [1] 264453 0
Prevention
Comparator / control treatment
Patients in the delayed catheter removal group will have removal of the urinary catheter at 0600 hours day 1 post-operatively.

With regards to bladder function, the patient is considered fit for discharge when she is able to void >=150 ml and have PVR of <100 ml on two successive occasions. Other factors may prevent discharge and these will be documented.

On any occasion where the bladder scan determines the PVR to be >200 ml, an immediate temporary catheterisation will be performed with drainage and measurement of urine and then removal of the catheter. The PVR determined by catheterisation will be documented.

This reflects the current standard protocol of the Endo-Gynaecology Department at the Royal Hospital for Women, and of Dr Stephen Lyons at the Mater Hospital.

The method and technique of removal of the urinary catheter is the same in both the control and intervention groups.
Control group
Active

Outcomes
Primary outcome [1] 266588 0
Incidence of post-operative urinary tract infection:
At the phone interview 10-14 days postoperatively, and at the 6 week postoperative clinic review, study subjects will be asked whether they have been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, and whether they have had any unscheduled presentation to a general practitioner, emergency department, or outpatient service (clinic/rooms).
Timepoint [1] 266588 0
Within 6 weeks post-operative
Primary outcome [2] 266589 0
Incidence and pattern of post-operative voiding dysfunction:
At the 6 week postoperative clinic review, study subjects will complete two validated questionnaires regarding lower urinary tract symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS and ICIQ-LUTSqol).
Timepoint [2] 266589 0
Within 6 weeks post-operative
Secondary outcome [1] 276068 0
Post-void residual urine volume (PVR) in patients before surgery, and to commence the development of a nomogram for the female population:
Upon admission to hospital for surgery, study subjects will:
- Complete the ICIQ-FLUTS questionnaire.
- Undergo independent (no catheter) uroflowmetry in a private room.
- Have a transabdominal bladder scan to measure the PVR
- Undergo a urinary pregnancy test;
- Provide a mid-stream urine (MSU) sample for urinalysis.
Timepoint [1] 276068 0
Pre-operative
Secondary outcome [2] 276069 0
Duration of hospital stay:
This will be calculated from the date and time of hospital admission and hospital discharge documented on the case report form and hospital medical records.
Timepoint [2] 276069 0
Noted at time of discharge from hospital
Secondary outcome [3] 276070 0
Readmission to hospital (incidence and indication):
At the phone interview 10-14 days postoperatively, and at the 6 week postoperative clinic review, study subjects will be asked whether they have had any unscheduled presentation to a general practitioner, emergency department, or outpatient service (clinic/rooms). Permission will be sought to obtain further information from other health practitioners regarding these presentations/hospital admissions.
Timepoint [3] 276070 0
Within 6 weeks post-operative
Secondary outcome [4] 276071 0
Unscheduled presentation to General practitioner, Emergency department, Outpatient service (clinic/rooms):
At the phone interview 10-14 days postoperatively, and at the 6 week postoperative clinic review, study subjects will be asked whether they have been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, and whether they have had any unscheduled presentation to a general practitioner, emergency department, or outpatient service (clinic/rooms).
Timepoint [4] 276071 0
Within 6 weeks post-operative
Secondary outcome [5] 276072 0
Economic analyses of the two modalities for care
Timepoint [5] 276072 0
Costs of hospitalisation and nursing care, calculated from time of admission to time of hospital discharge

Eligibility
Key inclusion criteria
- Elective laparoscopy for a benign gynaecological condition
- Patients to be aged >=18 years at time of surgery
- Patients who understand the conditions of the study and are willing to participate for the length of the prescribed term of follow-up
- Patients who are capable of, and have given written informed consent to their participation in the study.
- Patients presenting with benign gynaecological conditions that require surgical intervention as agreed to by the patient and her attending medical team.
Minimum age
18 Years
Maximum age
No limit
Sex
Females
Can healthy volunteers participate?
No
Key exclusion criteria
- Concurrent involvement in other research studies
- Past history of incontinence surgery
- Surgery for urinary incontinence or prolapse
- Suspected or confirmed gynaecological malignancy
- Patients scheduled for hysterectomy as part of their surgical procedure
- Patients with long-term bladder catheterisation (intermittent or permanent)
- Suspected or confirmed pregnancy at the time of surgery
- Intermittent flow pattern on uroflowmetry (indicative of pre-existing voiding dysfunction)
- Preoperative PVR >=150 ml

Study design
Purpose of the study
Prevention
Allocation to intervention
Randomised controlled trial
Procedure for enrolling a subject and allocating the treatment (allocation concealment procedures)
Patients will be considered for enrolment according to their clinical findings and subject to gaining suitable informed consent for a surgical procedure for benign gynaecological indications that has been discussed and agreed to with the patient.

Prior to enrolment each patient will be screened for eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients eligible for the study who give their written informed consent will be enrolled in the study with randomisation occurring intraoperatively.

Telephone randomisation will be centrally co-ordinated for all participating centres to ensure adequate concealment.
Methods used to generate the sequence in which subjects will be randomised (sequence generation)
Group allocation will be according to a computer generated randomisation schedule, stratified by centre. Randomisation will occur in balanced blocks of 20.

At the determination of appropriate inclusion in the study as documented by the pathology present and the perceived need for a duration of at least an overnight hospital stay, the surgeon (or his/her delegate) will contact the central trial centre by telephone where a research associate will ensure inclusion and exclusion criteria are met, enter patient details into the database, and inform the investigator of the patient’s study number and allocation group.
Masking / blinding
Open (masking not used)
Who is / are masked / blinded?



Intervention assignment
Parallel
Other design features
The investigator, patient and staff will not be blinded to the patient’s allocated study group, due to the obvious nature of the study intervention and the inability to have placebo catheterisation.

The investigator, patient and staff (excluding the nurse performing the bladder scan) will be blinded from the results of the PVR in the immediate catheter removal group, except where measurement of the PVR is clinically indicated.
Phase
Not Applicable
Type of endpoint/s
Safety/efficacy
Statistical methods / analysis

Recruitment
Recruitment status
Completed
Date of first participant enrolment
Anticipated
1/03/2012
Actual
13/04/2012
Date of last participant enrolment
Anticipated
Actual
18/12/2019
Date of last data collection
Anticipated
Actual
20/02/2020
Sample size
Target
690
Accrual to date
Final
866
Recruitment in Australia
Recruitment state(s)
NSW
Recruitment postcode(s) [1] 3936 0
2031
Recruitment postcode(s) [2] 3937 0
2060

Funding & Sponsors
Funding source category [1] 264923 0
Government body
Name [1] 264923 0
AGES Research Grant
Country [1] 264923 0
Australia
Primary sponsor type
Individual
Name
Associate Professor Jason Abbott
Address
Royal Hospital for Women
Barker Street
Randwick NSW 2031
Country
Australia
Secondary sponsor category [1] 311395 0
None
Name [1] 311395 0
Address [1] 311395 0
nil
Country [1] 311395 0

Ethics approval
Ethics application status
Approved
Ethics committee name [1] 266880 0
South Easter Sydney Local Health District - Human Research Ethics Committee - Northern Sector
Ethics committee address [1] 266880 0
Prince of Wales Hospital
G71 East Wing, Edmund Blacket Building
Cnr High & Avoca Streets
Randwick NSW 2031
Ethics committee country [1] 266880 0
Australia
Date submitted for ethics approval [1] 266880 0
28/04/2011
Approval date [1] 266880 0
24/01/2012
Ethics approval number [1] 266880 0
EC00134
Ethics committee name [2] 266881 0
St Vincent's Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee
Ethics committee address [2] 266881 0
Level 6, de Lacy Building
St Vincent's Hospital
390 Victoria Street,
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Ethics committee country [2] 266881 0
Australia
Date submitted for ethics approval [2] 266881 0
04/05/2011
Approval date [2] 266881 0
Ethics approval number [2] 266881 0
EC00140

Summary
Brief summary
It is a standard part of performing keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) in gynaecology to insert a urinary catheter at the time of surgery.

The optimal time to remove this urinary catheter is unknown. Some surgeons remove it immediately, whilst others keep the urinary catheter for some time (usually until the next day). The duration for which the urinary catheter is left in may have an effect on post-operative lower urinary tract symptoms and complications, such urinary tract infections and difficulty emptying the bladder.

Up to 2 in 10 women may have difficulty passing urine or emptying the bladder properly after surgery. It is hypothesised that earlier removal of the urinary catheter after surgery may potentially increase the risk of this happening. Around 1 in 10 women may get a urinary tract infection after surgery. It is hypothesised that the risk of this occurring may be increased if the urinary catheter is left in for longer durations, or if a woman has difficulty emptying her bladder properly after surgery.

Moreover, it is unknown as to what is the best means to assess whether a woman is emptying her bladder properly before being discharged from hospital after keyhole surgery. In the Department of Endo-Gynaecology at the Royal Hospital for Women and for patients of Dr Stephen Lyons at the Mater Hospital, there is a standard protocol where, after removal of the urinary catheter, women undergo serial bladder scans to measure the volume of urine left inside the bladder after voiding (post void residual urine volume, PVR). Women are not discharged from hospital until they are able to void at least 150 ml of urine on 2 consecutive occasions, and have a PVR of <100 ml after each of these voids.

In contrast at many other institutions, no such protocol exists, and women are eligible for discharge from hospital without undergoing any bladder scans. It is hypothesised that women who are discharged from hospital with undiagnosed difficulty in emptying their bladder properly after their keyhole surgery may potentially have a higher risk of developing urinary tract infection and lower urinary tract symptoms.

The objective of the study is to test these hypotheses, and thus allow more evidence-based practice in bladder care after gynaecological laparoscopy.

This study is a prospective, randomised, multi-centre, clinical study, enrolling 690 women undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgery for benign indications, who would usually be expected to stay overnight due to their surgery. Women randomised to the study will have their scheduled surgery according to their treating team’s recommendations.

Before surgery, subjects will complete a validated questionnaire regarding urinary symptoms and have a urine test to look for urinary tract infection. They will also be asked to void into a special device which will measure the rate and volume of urine flow (uroflowmetry), and a PVR will be measured.

At the time of surgery, women will be randomised to one of two equally sized groups. One group of women will have the urinary catheter removed at 0600 hours on the morning after their surgery. This group of women will be managed according to the current standard protocol of the Department of Endo-Gynaecology at the Royal Hospital for Women.

The other group of women will have the urinary catheter removed immediately at the end of surgery. This group of women will be eligible for discharge from hospital when they are able to void at least 150 ml on 2 consecutive occasions. These women will also undergo bladder scans after voiding, but the results of the bladder scan will be blinded from the staff and patient, and will not influence the decision for hospital discharge.

After surgery, all women will be followed for 6 weeks post-operatively with health care visits and have their urinary function monitored. Permission will be sought from subjects for follow-up at 1 year after surgery.
Trial website
Trial related presentations / publications
Public notes

Contacts
Principal investigator
Name 32516 0
Prof Jason Abbott
Address 32516 0
Royal Hospital for Women
Barker Street
Randwick NSW 2031
Country 32516 0
Australia
Phone 32516 0
+61 2 93826111
Fax 32516 0
Email 32516 0
j.abbott@unsw.edu.au
Contact person for public queries
Name 15763 0
Prof Jason Abbott
Address 15763 0
Royal Hospital for Women
Barker Street
Randwick NSW 2031
Country 15763 0
Australia
Phone 15763 0
+61 2 93826111
Fax 15763 0
Email 15763 0
j.abbott@unsw.edu.au
Contact person for scientific queries
Name 6691 0
Prof Associate Professor Jason Abbott
Address 6691 0
Royal Hospital for Women
Barker Street
Randwick NSW 2031
Country 6691 0
Australia
Phone 6691 0
+61 2 93826111
Fax 6691 0
Email 6691 0
j.abbott@unsw.edu.au

Data sharing statement
Will individual participant data (IPD) for this trial be available (including data dictionaries)?
Yes
What data in particular will be shared?
Cleaned dataset available
When will data be available (start and end dates)?
1/10/2021-1/10/2026
Available to whom?
Available via public data repository
Available for what types of analyses?
Meta-analyses
How or where can data be obtained?
UNSW research data repository:
https://resdata.unsw.edu.au


What supporting documents are/will be available?

Doc. No.TypeCitationLinkEmailOther DetailsAttachment
14299Study protocol  j.abbott@unsw.edu.au
14300Statistical analysis plan  j.abbott@unsw.edu.au
14301Informed consent form  j.abbott@unsw.edu.au
14302Ethical approval  j.abbott@unsw.edu.au



Results publications and other study-related documents

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No documents have been uploaded by study researchers.

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