Surface and coating of the catheter

Considering the chemical and physical properties of the catheter surface is important to limit the risk of trauma.

Catheters with hydrophilic coatings cause significantly less urethral trauma, less removal friction, and less pain, compared to gel lubrication.1  

Did you know?

The osmolality of hydrophilic catheters reduces the removal friction and the risk of urethral trauma (haematuria) during catheterization?2  

Risks associated with catheterization

Difficult and traumatic catheterisations may cause injuries ranging from a mucosal tear to more serious false passages, which are associated with UTIs, and strictures, and may require surgical management.3  

What does the clinical evidence say?

Several trials and reviews have been conducted about the pros and cons of different catheter types.4

There is no unanimous answer to which catheter type is better for neurourological patients,4 but several recent studies have found that hydrophilic catheters significantly lower the risk of UTI compared to non-hydrophilic catheters.5-8