A new urethral catheter

Abstract

A new balloon catheter for women with a flexible urethral portion that conforms to the shape of the closed urethra was tested. In sheep control catheters caused epithelial destruction, which was absent with the conformable catheter. A 12 week crossover trial compared control catheters in 52 long stay geriatric patients. Eighty two out of 91 conformable catheters were rated as comfortable compared with 68 of 87 control (p=0·006). The average length of time in situ was 15·9 days for the conformable catheter compared with 12·9 days for the control (p=0·001). The average number of bypasses a week with the conformable catheter was 1·1 compared with 1·3 for the control; this difference was not significant. Examination of 249 used catheters showed significantly fewer with intraluminal obstruction with struvite among the conformable than control catheters (1 (0·8%) versus 15 (11·5%); p<0·001). This new catheter for women is a substantial improvement over the Foley catheter and (except in urethral stricture) is suitable for all forms of drainage.