The Kish urethral illuminating catheter.

The urethral illuminating catheter is a disposable fiberoptic catheter used to illuminate the urethra and bladder of a female patient during an open surgical correction of stress incontinence. The Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure for correction of stress incontinence in a female patient has been used widely since 1949. The most common cause of failure of this procedure has been improper placement of the urethrovesical suspension sutures. Morbidity connected with the procedure results from penetration of the urothelium by the suspending sutures. The urethral illuminating catheter specifically delineates the urethra and bladder fiberoptically. The instrument aids in dissection, allows accurate placement of the suspension sutures, reduces morbidity, reduces operative time and increases the success rate.