Intermittent catheterization: which is the optimal technique?

Literature review to evaluate the practical techniques used for intermittent catheterization (IC) and intermittent self-catheterization (ISC).

To ascertain the requirements for proper IC and ISC. To evaluate if a best technique exists.

Relevant articles on the subject are reviewed.

There is a wide variety of materials and techniques applied for IC and ISC. This does not seem to change the practical outcome much if the basic principles are used: good education and training, clean and atraumatic technique, good patient compliance in the long-term. There is neither one best technique nor one best material for IC. Both depend greatly on the patient's individual anatomic, social and economic state.