THE INTRAURETHRAL CATHETER - 3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Ninety-four patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who had anesthe tic contraindications to surgery were treated by insertion of 130 intr aurethral catheters (IUC). Of the 130 IUCs inserted, 80.8% were succes sful and in 19.2% the IUC had to be removed earlier than intended: imp roper placement, displacement of the stent and residual urine were the main reasons for failure. All patients with a successfully inserted I UC were continent. Fifty-three IUCs were left for 1-6 months and 52 st ents remained in place for over 6 up to 19 months. Bacteriuria was fou nd in 13% of the patients with IUCs, but only 2.4% of the patients had clinical urinary tract infection. The IUC may be used as an alternati ve to surgery in high risk patients and as an alternative to an indwel ling catheter.