Vitamin C decreases postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort

A recent study suggests that administration of Vitamin C has a lower incidence of moderate to severe postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) in patients with bladder tumor. The results of this study were published in the Journal of clinical anesthesia.

In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, out of the 118 patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor, 59 were assigned to receive 1 gm of Vitamin C intravenously. The control group (n=59), was administered normal saline after the induction of anesthesia. The primary endpoint of the study included moderate or severe CRBD immediately postoperatively. The secondary endpoints were moderate or severe CRBD, measured at 1, 2, and 6h after the surgery.

While moderate CRBD symptoms included flailing limbs, intense verbal reactions, and attempts to remove the catheter, more severe forms of CRBD were related to patient behavioral responses. The group receiving Vitamin C showed lower incidence of moderate or severe CRBD immediately after surgery compared to the placebo group. The intervention group also showed significantly lower rates of moderate-to-severe CRBD at 1 and 2 hours postoperatively. Additionally, higher patient satisfaction scores were seen in the group receiving Vitamin C.

Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that Vitamin C administration plays a significant role in decreasing postoperative discomfort related to CRBD in patients with bladder tumor.