[Bacteriological examinations using the invagination catheter].

Quantitative and qualitative bacteriological studies have been performed on bladder urines taken by two different technics. Bladder urine was first obtained by suprapubic bladder aspiration. Immediately after the puncture another sample of bladder urine was obtained by the "invagination catheter" (only usable in women) transurethrally. In 80 consecutive parallel studies no differences were found in the bacterial counts, and only one difference were found in bacterial type. From the diagnostic point of view, therefore, the two methods were found to be equivalent. In another series of 52 patients catheterization by the invagination catheter was repeated at least 6 hours later without urination in the meantime. The bacteriologic results in the two corresponding specimens were exactly the same in all patients. Contrary to other transurethral methods, no introduction of bacterial agents into the bladder appears to occur with this method.