The intraurethral catheter--three years of experience.

Ninety-four patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who had anesthetic contraindications to surgery were treated by insertion of 130 intraurethral catheters (IUC). Of the 130 IUCs inserted, 80.8% were successful and in 19.2% the IUC had to be removed earlier than intended: improper placement, displacement of the stent and residual urine were the main reasons for failure. All patients with a successfully inserted IUC were continent. Fifty-three IUCs were left for 1-6 months and 52 stents remained in place for over 6 up to 19 months. Bacteriuria was found in 13% of the patients with IUCs, but only 2.4% of the patients had clinical urinary tract infection. The IUC may be used as an alternative to surgery in high risk patients and as an alternative to an indwelling catheter.