Long-Term Intermittent Catheterization in the Spinal Cord Injury Patient

Abstract

Intermittent catheterization was used as a means of long-term bladder management in 85 patients with spinal cord injury. Of these patients followup data revealed that 28 (33%) had reflux and/or hydronephrosis. Treatment in 15 patients consisted of increasing the frequency of catheterization to every 4 h and avoiding high fluid intake during a relatively short interval. Sphincterotomy was done in 3 patients, while 10 were placed on an indwelling catheter because of an inability to adapt to or refusal of other forms of treatment. The upper urinary tract changes noted seemed to be related to increased intravesical pressure, either from too long an interval between catheterizations or from marked detrusor hyperreflexia with sphincter obstruction. Close follow-up seems necessary in these patients.