Suprapubic catheter insertion: a multicentre review on mortality during short-, medium- and long-term follow-up

The aim of this study was to improve shared and informed decision making regarding real-world mortality rates caused by suprapubic catheter (SPC) insertion.

We undertook tri-centric, retrospective data collection from all patients identified as having a SPC inserted between 2017 and 2022. Data including demographics, frailty scores, comorbidities, reason for SPC insertion and mortality information were collected and statistically analysed.

Sixty-eight patients were identified and included in this study. Mortality after SPC insertion at 30 days was 1.5%: 18.8% at 1 year and 30.4% at 2 years. Medium-term mortality rates were 45.2% at 3 years, rising to 54.5% at 4 years. Patients aged 71 or older at the time of SPC insertion had an overall mortality of 45.9% compared with 10.3% in those aged under 71 years (p < 0.01). Mortality was 53% in frail patients who underwent SPC insertion (Rockwood Clinical Frailty Score >3). Limits of the study include the small sample size and heterogeneity of the population.

SPC insertion is associated with a significant mortality rate of 18.8% at 1 year rising to 45.2% at 3 years in our study cohort. Patients with increasing age and frailty may also be at a greater risk of mortality after SPC insertion. This information is in keeping with the limited data available in the published literature and should be highlighted to clinicians and patients when considering SPC insertion.