Clean Intermittent Catheterization Following Urethral Stricture Surgery Using a Low Friction Catheter Versus Conventional Plastic Catheter: A Prospective, Randomized Trial
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to compare clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) after endoscopic urethrotomy for urethral stricture (US) using a low-friction hydrophilic catheter or standard Nelaton polyvinyl chloridePVC) catheter in a randomized study. Patient satisfaction, complications, and US recurrence were determined.
METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, parallel group, unicenter study conducted between August 2005 and February 2008. Patients had a unique US that was < 2 cm in length with low or moderate spongiofibrosis. A total of 62 male patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups using LoFric (Astra Tech; Molndal, Sweden) or standard plastic catheters. Catheters were inserted into the bladder via the urethra and immediately removed. The procedure was performed twice a month for 3 months and then monthly for 1 year. Follow-up lasted 24 months. Patient perception of ease, pain, and comfort of CIC was scored with a questionnaire; success rates and adverse events were documented.
RESULTS: The median age at the time of treatment was 61.46 years (range, 21-86 years). The two groups were demographically comparable. The LoFric catheter was more comfortable (P = .02) with less pain at insertion (P = .002) than the conventional catheter. Patients were more satisfied with the hydrophilic catheter (P = .003). There were no significant differences in ratings of convenience. There were no significant group differences in complications. Within the first 2 years, 2 patients in the group using the LoFric catheter and 7 patients in the group using the conventional catheter developed urethral stricture. A life-table analysis did not show a significant group difference in the outcome (P = .15).
CONCLUSIONS: CIC is a safe and efficient method of reducing the frequency of urethral stricture recurrence after internal urethrotomy. The Lofric catheter significantly increased the degree of comfort and satisfaction and decreased the feeling of pain when the catheter was removed or inserted, when compared with a conventional PVC catheter. Complication and recurrent rates were comparable between groups. Thus, low-friction catheters may prevent US recurrences with better quality of life.
KEYWORDS: Urethral stricture; Internal urethrotomy; Clean intermittent catheterization; Hydrophilic-coated catheter.
CORRESPONDENCE: Dr. Sataa Sallami, Department of Urology, La Rabta Hospital-University, Tunis 1007, Tunisia ().
CITATION: Urotoday Int J. 2011 Feb;4(1):art7. doi:10.3834/uij.1944-5784.2011.04.07
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS: CIC, clean intermittent catheterization; PVC, polyvinyl chloride; US, urethral stricture.