Long-term bladder drainage: Suprapubic catheter versus other methods: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Patient Care

Background:

• Chronic bladder emptying methods are crucial for managing urinary retention and incontinence.
• Suprapubic catheterization is an alternative to urethral catheterization, with varying clinical implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review comparing suprapubic catheterization with other chronic bladder emptying methods.
• To analyze research on complications, patient satisfaction, and health-related quality of life (QoL).

Main Methods:

• Searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and OVID databases (1950-May 2012).
• Included studies comparing suprapubic to other catheterization methods in adults.
• Excluded studies with catheter duration <30 days or single case reports.

Main Results:

• 14 studies were included, showing suprapubic catheters have low urethral injury rates.
• Complication rates for upper tract damage, reflux, calculi, and UTIs were similar to urethral catheters.
• Patients reported general satisfaction, but data on stoma/skin care and adherence was lacking.

Conclusions:

• Research predominantly focuses on clinical urologic outcomes, neglecting patient perspectives on management, satisfaction, and QoL.
• Further studies are needed to understand suprapubic catheter efficacy from user and clinician viewpoints.