Effect of Catheter Type and Size on Patient Comfort and Complications in Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin and Chemotherapy Administration: A Randomized Prospective Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of catheter type and size on patient-reported pain, anxiety, and adverse events during intravesical therapy.

METHODS

A total of 200 patients were screened, and 179 were randomized into 4 groups: Foley 12 Fr (n = 31), Foley 8 Fr (n = 60), Nelaton 12 Fr (n = 46), and Nelaton 8 Fr (n = 42). Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), anxiety using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and complications were recorded for 1 week following instillation.

RESULTS

Compared with Foley 8 Fr, pain scores were significantly higher with Nelaton 12 Fr (OR 713.4; 95% CI 231.5-2424.7; P <.001). Male sex was independently associated with increased pain (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.7-8.5; P = .001). Anxiety severity was higher only in the Nelaton 12 Fr group (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.24-5.35; P = .012). There were no statistically significant differences in overall complication rates among the groups.

CONCLUSION

Catheter type and size significantly influence pain and anxiety during intravesical therapy, with smaller rubber catheters (Foley 8 Fr) providing the most favorable patient experience.