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Urethral trauma

Return to Urethral and bladder microtrauma

Why is urethral trauma a problem for IC users?

If your patients catheterise 5 times a day1 (1,825 times a year), every insertion should be as smooth and gentle as possible to reduce discomfort. Poorly coated catheters or reusable, unlubricated catheters lead to higher friction between the catheter and the mucosa in the urethra2, which may lead to microtrauma and potentially bacteria attaching to the urethra. With no natural flushing, the bacteria cannot be removed, increasing the risk of UTIs.3

Understanding urethral trauma and its impact

Protecting the urethra from trauma and complications that may lead to a UTI is a critical clinical challenge, and consideration of the catheter coating may help as coatings can vary. Some are insufficiently coated causing increased friction and pain during insertion and withdrawal.4

Long-term use of IC and repeated injury can cause urethral strictures and may make future catheterisations difficult, causing repeated injuries and UTIs.5

Introduction to urethral trauma / 0,39 Minutes

What do IC users worry about during catheterisation?

50%

of IC users worry about hurting their urethra when inserting the catheter 3

42%

of IC users worry about feeling pain when inserting the catheter 3

“

The whole goal of catheterisation is, obviously, to empty the bladder but do it in a fashion that is less traumatic to the urethra."

Prof. M. Kennelly,

USA

  1. Tentor F, Schrøder BG, Nielsen S et al., Development of an ex-vivo porcine lower urinary tract model to evaluate the performance of urinary catheters. Scientific Reports. 2022; Oct 24;12(1):17818
  2. Kennelly M, Thiruchelvam N, Averbeck MA et al., Adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and intermittent catheterisation in a community setting: Risk factors model for urinary tract infections. Advances in Urology. 2019; Apr 2;1–13
  3. Vasudeva P and Madersbacher H, Factors implicated in pathogenesis of urinary tract infections in neurogenic bladders: some revered, few forgotten, others ignored. Neurology and Urodynamics. 2014 Jan;33(1): p.96
  4. Stensballe J, Looms D, Nielsen P N et al., Hydrophilic-coated catheters for intermittent catheterisation reduce urethral micro trauma: a prospective, randomised, participant-blinded, crossover study of three different types of catheters. European Urology. 2005;48(6):978–983
  5. Vaabengaard R, Zeeberg R, Zupet N, Bagger M, Nalbandian MT. Dependence on urinary intermittent catheterisation elicits considerable worry about urinary tract infections. INUS; Athens, Greece 2023.