A new temporary catheter (conticath) for the treatment of temporary, reversible, postoperative urinary retention

Objectives. To describe the initial experience of a newly designed temporar y urethral catheter, ContiCath, as an aid in the management of postoperativ e or temporary outflow obstruction. In patients with normal detrusor and sp hincter function, this catheter allows volitional voiding while maintaining an open prostatic urethra. Methods. In a pilot study, 64 nonconsecutive patients with postoperative or temporary urinary retention, at eight clinical trial sites, were enrolled for the placement of this temporary catheter. Three patients did not have t he catheter placed because of placement failure because of either a large m edian lobe or a urethral stricture. The remaining 61 patients were divided into three groups: those with non-neuropathic causes of retention and reten tion for 1 week or less (37 patients), those with non-neuropathic causes of retention and retention for longer than 1 week (19 patients), and those wi th neuropathic causes of retention and retention for longer than 1 week (5 patients). The ContiCath is placed in the office setting, in the same fashi on as a Foley catheter. A blue prolene tether extends from the bulbar ureth ra to the meatus to assist in the removal of the device. Patients were then reassessed at 3 hours, and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, at which point the d evice was removed. Results. In patients with a neuropathic cause for their retention (5 patien ts) and those with non-neuropathic causes of retention and retention for lo nger than 1 week (19 patients), only 3 patients were able to void after the catheter was placed. Of the 37 patients with a non-neuropathic cause and r etention 1 week or less, controlled voiding was seen in 33 patients (89%). Controlled voiding was defined as the patient's volitional ability to initi ate and stop his urinary stream. There were no complications with catheter placement; however, 8 patients (24.2%) had minor adverse experiences of fre quency/urgency (n = 3), incontinence (n = 3), migration of the catheter (n = 1), and pain (n = 1). Conclusions. ContiCath offers an alternative to an indwelling Foley cathete r in men with temporary bladder outlet obstruction and urinary retention. U ROLOGY 53: 1104-1107, 1999. (C) 1999, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights rese rved.