Prophylaxis of Indwelling Urethral Catheter Infection: Clinical Experience with A Modified Foley Catheter and Drainage System

Abstract

With the application of the oligodynamic bactericidal property of Ag ions, modification of the urinary catheter and drainage system was effective in the prevention of urinary tract infections [UTI] due to prolonged bladder catheterization. The newly devised catheter and open drainage system were used in 102 patients for bladder catheterization post-operatively or in those with urinary retention for periods ranging from 4-77 days. During the period of indwelling catheterization usually no antibiotics were administered and no patient had overt bacteriuria (more than 105 bacteria/ml) or symptoms of urethritis. All 20 patients in the control group who had the conventional type of indwelling catheters had bacteriuria within 4 days of catheterization. Effective prevention of UTI, which frequently is associated with indwelling urethral catheterization, can be achieved by use of the modified catheter and drainage system.