Difficult male urethral catheterization: a review of different approaches

To review and compare the different methods for difficult male urethral catheterization described in selected literature.

A PubMed search was done with the terms "difficult", "failed", or "complications" and "urethral catheterization", "transurethral catheterization", "Foley catheter", "urethral catheter" or "filiforms and followers". All articles addressing the issue of difficult adult male urethral catheterization were included.

Six main approaches were identified on the 14 articles included for review: 1) Passage of either a Glidewire, guide wire or filiform under direct vision; 2) Blind passage of a filiform, guide wire, Glidewire or hydrophilic catheter; 3) "The Peel-away sheath placed on a cystoscope/resectoscope technique"; 4) "The rigid ureteroscope placed inside the 22F Foley technique"; 5) Suprapubic catheterization; and 6) "The instillation of 60 cc of saline through the catheter as it is advanced technique".

There is a paucity of prospective data comparing the benefits, risks, success rates and complications of the different approaches for difficult Foley catheter placement. Our suggested approach starts with the initial attempt at urethral catheterization with an 18F coude and a 12F silicone catheter. If these fail, using a flexible cystoscope or the blind Glidewire technique are reasonable alternatives. If dilatation of a stricture is necessary, ureteric dilatators or a urethral balloon dilatator are recommended.