Mucosal histology following prolonged use of the Urovac: a suction operated urinal

Biopsies were taken from the medical surface of the labia minora at 6 monthly intervals in the case of a young adult paraplegic using a suction operated urinal (the Urovac, Keane, 1963). An average partial vacuum of 11.4 cm measured by the water gauge was continuously applied to the tissues. There was no effective change in histological appearance of the mucous membrane over a period of 18 months. The tissue showed some irregular thickening of the squamous mucosa and moderate parakeratosis. There was a mild fibroblastic and papillary proliferation in the submucosa with occasional small aggregates of polymorphonuclear leucocytes immediately underlying the mucosa. These changes are non-specific and indicative of mild irritation. It would appear therefore that it is safe to apply a partial vacuum of 11.4 cm to the mucous membrane for prolonged periods provided that tissue distention is prevented by urinal design.