Protocol for changing condom catheters in males with spinal cord injury

A five year study was conducted to determine the appropriate frequency for routine changing of condom catheters in males with spinal cord injury. One hundred and thirteen outpatient subjects participated in a non-randomized study. Eighty subjects changed their condom catheters on a daily basis, and 33 changed their condom catheters every other day. The subjects were questioned and the clinic record was reviewed by a nurse clinician about the incidence of skin and urinary complications occurring in the previous year. The most common skin complication found in both groups was redness, followed by excoriation. The most common urinary complication reported by both groups was urinary tract infection, followed by bladder and renal stones. There was no significant difference found in the incidence of skin or urinary complications between the subjects who changed their condom catheters daily and those who changed their condom catheters every other day. It is recommended that selected patients can change their condom catheters every other day as long as appropriate guidelines are followed.