title: [The relevance of catheterization in neurourology].
abstract: Together with comprehension and therapy of neurogenic failure of the storage function of the urinary bladder, intermittent catheterization as a pressure-free voiding method without residual urine, represents a major principle of therapy in lower urinary tract dysfunction. Aseptic intermittent catheterization is recommended in Germany and Europe and seems to be acceptable even in long-term application with low complication rates. It is a precondition that patients are seen for clinical and urodynamic reevaluation at risk-adapted time intervals. The major focus is on early recognition and avoidance of threatening complications. The most important preventive measures are the motivation and compliance of the well-educated patient and the use of careful catheterization techniques with individually optimized catheters.Although aseptic intermittent catheterization has been used effectively for many years there is still a lack of randomized controlled studies for some important questions of details and an optimal catheter has still to be defined. Furthermore, valid conclusions based on well-conducted studies on the self-estimated quality of life of patients with intermittent catheterization, especially those with catheterization by attendant, are urgently needed. Intermittent catheterization is never a ready-made solution but always an individually tailored treatment for patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Neuro-Urologie, Querschnittgelähmtenzentrum, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Unfallkrankenhaus Hamburg, Bergedorfer Straße 10, 21033 Hamburg, Deutschland. r.boethig@buk-hamburg.de
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Böthig
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burgdörfer
mesh_terms: D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology*