Catheter policies for management of long term voiding problems in adults with neurogenic bladder disorders.
BACKGROUND
Management of the neurogenic bladder has the primary objectives of maintaining continence, ensuring low bladder pressure (to avoid renal damage) and avoiding or minimising infection. Options include intermittent urethral catheterisation, indwelling urethral or suprapubic catheterisation, timed voiding, use of external catheter (for men), drug treatment, augmentation cystoplasty and urinary diversion.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of using different types of urinary catheters and external (sheath) catheters in managing the neurogenic bladder, compared to alternative management strategies or interventions.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group specialised register (searched 11 June 2003). We sought additional trials from other sources such as reference lists of relevant articles and contacting consultants in Spinal Cord Injury Centres throughout the United Kingdom.


METHODS
All randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing methods of using catheters to manage urinary voiding in people with neurogenic bladder.


METHODS
Abstracts were independently inspected by the reviewers and full papers were obtained where necessary.


RESULTS
Approximately 400 studies were scrutinised. No trials were found that met the inclusion criteria, and five studies were excluded from the review.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a comprehensive search no evidence from randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials was found. It was not possible to draw any conclusions regarding the use of different types of catheter in managing the neurogenic bladder.
Jamison
J
J
Centre for Social Research, Queen's University Belfast, 2 Lisdoonan Close, Carryduff, Belfast, N Ireland, UK, BT8 8RJ.
Maguire
S
S
McCann
J
J
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000628:therapy*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*