Introduction/Background*Postoperative bladder dysfunction is a common phenomenon after radical hysterectomy (RH) in patients with cervical cancer. Post-operatively, women receive a transurethral or suprapubic catheter.

The objective of our study was to evaluate patients’ experience of urine bladder catheterization after RH.

Methodology A questionnaire with 19 items was sent to 62 women who underwent RH between January 2017 and July 2020 at the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Questions regarding information received, catheter-related problems, and emotional distress were surveyed using a four-point Likert scale. For analysis, the two lowest and two highest outcomes were combined. Further, women were encouraged to share any comments. The study was approved by the ethical board of the Erasmus MC.

Result(s)*Forty- seven women responded (75%). Insufficient information on catheter use was reported by approximately 20%. A high or very high score was given for frustration by 36%, shame by 21%, fear by 11%, and movement restrictions by 28%. Overall, these were more common in women with a transurethral (n = 29) compared to a suprapubic catheter (n = 18). Additional information in the free text box made it clear that postoperative micturition and catheter- relates problems have a significant impact on quality of life.

Conclusion*Women in this study reported more sorrow and problems related to postoperative catheterization after radical hysterectomy than expected. These results emphasize the need to discuss these issues with our patients pre- and postoperatively, to learn more about their needs, and ultimately to improve the perioperative protocol and thereby reduce the patients’ perceived discomfort.