Early (Postoperative Day 3) Versus Standard (Postoperative Day 6) Urethral Catheter Removal After Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common complications after kidney transplantation and is associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and impaired graft outcomes. The duration of urethral catheterization is a modifiable risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infection. This randomized controlled trial compares early catheter removal on postoperative day 3 with standard catheter removal on postoperative day 6 in living donor kidney transplant recipients. The primary objective is to determine whether early catheter removal reduces 30-day urinary tract infections without increasing urinary complications requiring intervention.

Inclusion Age ≥18 years Living donor kidney transplantation Pre-emptive kidney transplantation Preserved urine output Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Previous bladder or urethral surgery Complex urinary tract reconstruction Neurogenic bladder Active urinary tract infection at transplantation Pregnancy BMI \40 kg/m² Intraoperative blood loss \>1000 mL