[Can silicon diffusion from silicone rubber catheters cause urethral stricture?]

Silicon-leakage out of alloplastic Silicon containing implants induces myofibroblast proliferation and constricting scar tissue. Therefore the possible Silicon-leakage out of Silicon rubber Foley-Catheters was of major interest. This cathaters were often used after internal urethrotomies of recurrent urethral strictures. Pieces of Silicon rubber Foley-Catheters of 18 F, 2 cm in length, were implanted subcutaneously and intraperitoneally in rats. Using Scanning electron microscopy and EDXA (energy dispersiv x-ray microanalysis) Silicon could not be identified in tissues around the implants 6 and 12 weeks after implantation. Therefore Silicon-leakage out of Silicon rubber Foley-Catheters is not responsible for recurrent urethral strictures.