Residual urine after intermittent catheterization in females using two different catheters.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of a new 7-cm long female catheter (SpeediCath Compact; Coloplast A/S, Humlebaek, Denmark) to drain the urinary bladder compared to standard-length female catheters.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This was a prospective, single-blind, randomized, crossover study. Twenty-four female intermittent catheter users with neurogenic bladder dysfunction took part. Each test person catheterized three times with the test catheter on one day and three times with a standard-length female catheter on another day. The residual urine (RU) volume in the bladder after catheterization was measured by means of ultrasound. Furthermore, participants were asked to evaluate the length and handling of the test catheter during insertion, and to rate their overall satisfaction with the test catheter.

RESULTS

There was no difference between the catheters in terms of volume of RU. One test person could not use the SpeediCath Compact catheter. Twenty-three participants found handling the SpeediCath Compact very easy or easy and rated their overall satisfaction with it as either very satisfying or satisfying.

CONCLUSION

In most females, the SpeediCath Compact catheter is at least as efficient at emptying the bladder as more conventional female catheters.