[The urological spiral. A real alternative to the indwelling catheter? Experience in 23 patients]

Our experiences are reported with the "intraprostatic spiral" in 23 high-risk patients with prostatic adenoma. The intraprostatic spiral was used only in selected patients for medical indications. Patients confined to bed as well as those with detrusor instability or secondary dilatation of the upper urinary tract were excluded. 14 of our patients (60.8%) showed excellent voiding ability, without residual urine and all of them were fully satisfied with the functioning of the prostatic spiral. The longest indwelling time in this group is now about 36 months. 9 of 23 patients (39.2%) were not satisfied with their prostatic spiral. In all of them, the spiral had to be removed later on. Urinary stress incontinence was the main reason for removal. Two thirds of the patients who were not satisfied with the functioning of the prostatic spiral, had a marked decrease in detrusor function. This is a major reason for unsatisfying prostatic spiral function. On average, the prostatic spirals had to be exchanged after 15-18 months because of incrustation. Nearly all patients (21 of 23) showed asymptomatic bacteriuria.