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Published on: December 8, 2012
[Development of new hydrophilic catheter kit for self-catheterization: study in pediatric cases]
Insights
A new hydrophilic catheter kit improved self-catheterization management for school-aged children. The kit demonstrated comparable lubrication and superior portability and operability, with high user satisfaction and no increased infection risk.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Biomaterials Science
- Pediatric Medicine
Context:
- Self-catheterization is crucial for managing bladder dysfunction in children.
- Existing methods can be cumbersome, impacting adherence and quality of life.
- Development of user-friendly, effective catheterization tools is essential for pediatric care.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the lubricating characteristics and clinical efficacy of a novel hydrophilic catheter kit designed for pediatric self-catheterization.
- To assess the performance of a combined hydrophilic catheter and sterile water packet system.
- To compare the new kit against conventional catheterization methods in school-aged children.
Summary:
- A hydrophilic catheter kit, featuring a polymer-coated catheter and sterile water packet, was tested in 32 male children (mean age 11.6 years).
- Lubrication was comparable to conventional catheters with added lubricant; the kit showed significantly better portability and operability.
- While insertion ease was similar, withdrawal occasionally caused sticking. Overall satisfaction was high, with 94% desiring continuous use, and no increase in UTIs or hematuria was observed.
Impact:
- The hydrophilic catheter kit offers a highly satisfactory alternative for pediatric self-catheterization.
- Its design enhances convenience and usability, potentially improving long-term adherence.
- This innovation may significantly benefit children requiring intermittent catheterization, improving their daily management and independence.
Purpose:
To increase the management of self-catheterization in children of school age, a catheter kit consisting of hydrophilic catheter and a packet containing sterilized water was developed. We evaluated the lubricating characteristic and clinical efficacy of this new catheter kit.
Materials And Methods:
The catheter kit used in the study was a pocket-size plastic container in which a polyurethane catheter coated with hydrophilic polymer and a packet containing sterilized water were packed in combination. The lubricating characteristic of catheter was assessed by the measurement of friction value. For clinical assessment, male children aged over 6 years old who were doing self-catheterization at 17 medical institutions nationwide were selected as the subjects. The 32 children who had given informed consent (mean age: 11.6 years old) were asked to use the catheter kit continuously for 1 week. The results were investigated by a questionnaire survey in which the assessment before and after the use was expressed in scores. At the same time, urinalysis and urine culture were examined.
Results:
The friction value of hydrophilic catheter was equivalent to or less than that observed by applying a lubricant to the conventional catheter. The comparison of conventional catheter with the kit indicated significantly higher scores (assessment in 5 grades expressed in scores) for the portability and operability of the kit. Though there was no significant difference in the ease of insertion between the two catheters, there were several comments that the kit got stuck in the urethra when it was withdrawn. The global assessment gave a significantly higher score to the kit and 30 (94%) of the 32 children wanted to use the kit continuously. No increase in hematuria which caused a clinical problem or no new apparent urinary tract infection occurred after the use of the kit.
Conclusions:
Compared with the conventional catheter, the hydrophilic catheter kit highly satisfied a large number of children at the time of self-catheterization. Depending on the condition of children, the kit is considered useful for continued self-catheterization for a long term.
