Managing recurrent urinary catheter blockage: problems, promises, and practicalities.

Long-term urinary catheterization is rarely completely free of complications, and encrustation by mineral salts leading to catheter blockage is common in around 40% to 50% of long-term catheterized patients. Recurrent blockage is a problem, which is both distressing to patients and caregivers and costly to health services in terms of time and resources. This article addresses the causes of recurrent urinary catheter blockage, proactive approaches to care, and the evidence for use of catheter maintenance solutions to reduce buildup of mineral deposits.