Intraurethral catheter in high-risk patients with urinary retention: 3 years of experience.

A new intraurethral catheter (IUC) developed by Nissenkorn has been inserted in 43 patients in the last 3 years. We reserved this device for very selected patients in urinary retention due to prostatic obstruction with operative contraindications or limited life expectancy. The device is simple, very easy to insert under direct cystoscopic control. Thirty-six patients (84%) were able to void without incontinence or significant post-voiding residual. We noticed 4 early and 5 late migrations of the prosthesis into the bladder. Symptomatic urinary infection occurred in 5 patients and bacteriuria occurred in 6 patients. The IUC remained in place up to 9 months without encrustations. It is well tolerated, easy to insert and remove and inexpensive. We believe that this IUC is a valid alternative to a long-term indwelling catheter for patients in poor general conditions unfit for surgery.