The MultICath Trial - New Research Into Intermittent Catheterisation
Intermittent catheterisation (IC) is an important management option for people who cannot empty their bladder naturally. Problems with bladder emptying may be a consequence of neurological disease or spinal cord injury, or, for men, an enlarged prostate causing outflow obstruction. IC avoids the need for an indwelling catheter and associated complications. People needing IC are taught how to insert a catheter, drain the bladder, and then remove the catheter. Today, single‐use, disposable catheters are the most commonly used option in the UK. When clean IC was introduced to the UK in the 70’s however, plain, uncoated catheters were routinely washed and re-used. This is still practised by some people in the UK and, more extensively, in other countries, and for decades sterilisable metal catheters have been an option for women. Over the years new types of catheter have been developed, for example, with special coatings designed to make catheterisation easier and safer (find out more about different intermittent catheters in the Continence Product Advisor). Such catheters are all manufactured and licensed for single use only.
Reusable silicone catheters are now being made for both men and women but are not yet available in the UK. Currently there is considerable uncertainty as to whether any particular catheter design is better than another for preventing urinary tract infection or for other important factors such as urethral trauma or quality of life. Combining the use of re-usable and single use catheters (mixed use) may be attractive to some users because it potentially offers the advantages of both catheter types. For example, using a reusable catheter reduces the number of catheters required when away from home, and may have environmental and cost benefits as fewer are thrown away (each year in the UK approximately 50,000 mainly plastic catheters contribute to landfill and, in the USA,
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