A remote controlled intraurethral insert for artificial voiding: A new concept for treating women with voiding dysfunction

Purpose: Many patients with voiding dysfunction find clean intermittent cat heterization unsatisfactory. We evaluated the efficacy of the new remote co ntrolled intraurethral In-Flow Catheter dagger insert for treating women wi th voiding dysfunction. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of the intraurethral inser t in 92 women with a mean age of 56 years. The insert is available in vario us sizes to adapt to individual urethras. It comprises a valve and pump ass embly. A remote control unit is operated to open the valve and activate the pump, generating active urine flow. Results: In 45 patients (49%) the device was removed after a mean of 7.1 da ys due to local discomfort or urinary leakage around the insert. At a mean followup of 7.6 months (range 2 to 26) 47 women (51%) continued to use the device, and all are dry with complete bladder emptying. The insert was repl aced periodically at a mean of 38 days to prevent salt deposits in and arou nd it which lead to urine leakage. Asymptomatic bacteriuria developed in 22 patients (46.8%). Clinical urinary tract infections resolved in 3.9% of al l patients-months with oral antibiotics. No dyspareunia was reported. All p atients were satisfied with the insert and preferred it to previous treatme nt modalities. Conclusions: This new remote controlled intraurethral insert is safe and ef fective in women with voiding difficulties.