title: A clever technique for placement of a urinary catheter over a wire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to present a straightforward, step-by-step reproducible technique for placement of a guide-wire into any type of urethral catheter, thereby offering a means of access similar to that of a council-tip in a situation that may require a different type of catheter guided over a wire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a shielded intravenous catheter inserted into the eyelet of a urinary catheter and through the distal tip, a "counsel-tip" can be created in any size or type of catheter. Once transurethral bladder access has been achieved with a hydrophilic guide-wire, this technique will allow unrestricted use of catheters placed over a wire facilitating guided catheterization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urethral catheters of different types and sizes are easily advanced into the bladder with wire-guidance; catheterization is improved in the setting of difficult urethral catheterization (DUC). Cost analysis demonstrates benefit overuse of traditional council-tip catheter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placing urinary catheters over a wire is standard practice for urologists, however, use of this technique gives the freedom of performing wire-guided catheterization in more situations than a council-tip allows. This technique facilitates successful transurethral catheterization over wire in the setting of DUC for all catheter types and styles aiding in urologic management of patients at a cost benefit to the health care system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St. John Providence, Michigan State University, Detroit, MI 48071, USA.
authors.forename: Joel E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St. John Providence, Michigan State University, Detroit, MI 48071, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St. John Providence, Michigan State University, Detroit, MI 48071, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badalament
authors.affiliation: Chesapeake Urology Associates, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21061, USA.
authors.forename: Julio G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Davalos
keywords: Prostatic hyperplasia; urethral obstruction; urethral stricture; urinary bladder neck obstruction; urinary catheter; urinary retention