[A self-retaining intraurethral device as an alternative to indwelling catheter and prostatectomy]

A new, original self-retaining intraurethral catheter (IUC), 30-60 mm long, was inserted into the urethra and bladder neck in 34 patients with urinary retention due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The placement of the IUC is easily done under local anesthesia in the outpatient clinic. Before insertion, all the patients had had an indwelling catheter for weeks or months. In 29 patients (85.3%) the IUC was left in place from 2-38 weeks (mean 13.8). These patients voided satisfactorily and were fully continent. In 5 (14.7%) the IUC had to be removed after several days because of severe frequency or residual urine, the result of improper placement of the IUC. In 4 other patients (11.8%) the IUC was removed after 3-12 weeks because of obstruction by stones after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, or because of difficulty in voiding during therapeutic diuresis for pulmonary edema. Based on our experience, it is suggested that this new device may avoid the use of the standard indwelling catheter in patients with urinary retention caused by intravesical obstruction. It may also be an alternative to prostatectomy in patients at high risk for surgery.