Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort: Insights Into Pathophysiology, Clinical Impact, and Management
Titos Markopoulos, Stamatios Katsimperis, Lazaros Lazarou, Lazaros Tzelves, Iraklis Mitsogiannis, Athanasios Papatsoris, Andreas Skolarikos, Ioannis Varkarakis
Abstract
Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is a frequent postoperative complication that significantly impacts the quality of recovery in patients undergoing transurethral surgeries. It manifests as suprapubic pain, an intense urge to void, and bladder spasms due to muscarinic receptor activation. This narrative review provides a comprehensive analysis of CRBD, with a particular focus on bladder spasms in patients treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) or the prostate (TURP). The review explores the underlying pathophysiology, clinical implications, and evidence-based management strategies, including pharmacological interventions such as antimuscarinics and nerve blocks, as well as non-pharmacological measures.