Percutaneous suprapubic cystostomy after spinal cord injury.

The results of treatment of urinary bladder paralysis with small calibre (9 Charriere) suprapubic drainage in 41 male patients are described. It was found that suprapubic drainage could be maintained for an average of 8 weeks and that the urine in 43% of patients remained sterile for an average of 7 weeks. This technique merits further trial, both in the paraplegic patient and in normal patients requiring catheterisation because of obstruction of the lower urinary tract.