CLEAN INTERMITTENT CATHETERIZATION IN BOYS USING THE LOFRIC CATHETER

Purpose: We compared a recently developed hydrophilic catheter to the standard polyethylene catheter in regard to hematuria, infection and p atient satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A hydrophilic LoFric or s tandard Mentor dagger catheter was assigned at random to 17 and 16 boy s, respectively, who were skilled in intermittent self-catheterization . They were evaluated by weekly urinalysis and a questionnaire. Result s: Significantly fewer episodes of microscopic hematuria occurred in t he LoFric than Mentor catheter group (9 episodes in 6 subjects versus 19 episodes in 11, p < 0.05). There were also fewer episodes of bacter iuria in the LoFric group but the difference was not statistically sig nificant. Mean scores plus or minus standard deviation on a visual ana logue scale with 0 equal to most and 10 equal to least favorable were LoFric 3.3 +/- 2.8 versus Mentor 4.9 +/- 2.7 for catheter convenience and 2.7 +/- 2.4 versus 4.2 +/- 2.6 for insertion comfort, significantl y favoring the LoFric group (p < 0.05 for both). Of the 16 LoFric subj ects 13 preferred to continue its use, particularly those with a histo ry of urethral trauma or sphincteric spasm. Conclusions: In boys the L oFric catheter appears to cause less trauma. Although it is not reusab le and is more expensive than the standard catheter, satisfaction is h igher with the LoFric device and for select patients it has significan t advantages.