[The effect of intra-urethral catheter for prostatic hypertrophy patients who are unfit for operation and suffer from urinary retention].

The effect of double Malecot type polyurethane intraurethral catheter (IUC) was examined in 17 benign prostatic hypertrophy patients who were unfit for operation and suffered from urinary retention. Patients were aged 68 to 90 (mean 80.5) years old and the causes of IUC insertion were cardiac, cerebrovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes mellitus and aging. IUC was selected among three types (55, 60, 65 mm) according to the length of prostatic urethra. Insertion of IUC was carried out easily under fluoroscopic guidance without endoscopy. All patients could void by themselves just after insertion of IUC and the longest indwelling period was 10 months. The length of IUC need not be longer than that of prostatic urethra and patients with normal or hypertonic bladder could void better than those with atonic bladder. Urinary tract infection did not get worse in any patients with indwelling IUC. Double Malecot type polyurethane IUC is a safe and an effective alternative method in place of urethral balloon catheter for inoperable prostatic hypertrophy patients in urinary retention.