Comparison of Urinary Tract Infection Rates Associated with Different Catheterization Methods Following Major Pelvic or Abdominal Surgery: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Background: Postoperative bladder drainage is commonly required following major pelvic or abdominal surgery. Existing evidence indicates substantial variation in urinary tract infection (UTI) risk across different catheterization methods. However, the comparative effectiveness of indwelling Foley catheterization (IFC), suprapubic catheterization (SPC), and intermittent catheterization (IC) remains uncertain. Methods: We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare UTI incidence associated with different urinary drainage methods, including IFC, SPC, and IC. PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify eligible RCTs published from January 2010 to November 2025. Trials comparing at least two of the three catheterization routes following major pelvic or abdominal surgery were included. The primary outcome was the rate of UTI. A Bayesian network meta-analysis with a random-effects model was conducted using the gemtc package in R 4.5.1 and RStudio2026.01.0. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Results: Ten RCTs involving 1242 patients met the eligibility criteria. Both IC and SPC demonstrated a reduced risk of UTI compared with IFC. Based on indirect evidence, SPC was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in postoperative UTI compared with IC, with considerable uncertainty in the effect estimate (OR = 0.53, 95% CrI 0.09–2.69). Overall, IC and SPC showed favorable trends in…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,242 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB severity with quality of life and mental health in China, Taiwan and South Korea: results from a cross-sectional, population-based study
- Ten-Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Low-Dose Rabeprazole, Bismuth, Amoxicillin, and Tetracycline Is an Effective and Safe First-Line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Population with High Antibiotic Resistance: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Clinical Trial in China
- The Role of the NLR and PLR in Urinary Tract Infection
- Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic
- Leclercia adecarboxylata urinary tract infection in a patient with bladder cancer and recurrent hematuria
- A Case Series of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection in Cancer Patients at an Academic Cancer Institute in the United States
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.