Response of bladder and urethral mucosa to catheterization

Abstract

Short-term urinary bladder drainage with the use of urethral Foley catheters is practiced frequently in hospitals throughout the country. The urethral and bladder cellular proliferation after exposure to latex, silicone-coated latex, and 100% silicone catheters was studied. Fifty-one male patients were studied; no differences in acute cellular reaction could be detected among the 3 different catheter materials. Promotion of all-silicone products in hospital use may be unwarranted.