Effective evidence-based intermittent self-catheterization: an update.

摘要

Intermittent self-catheterization (ISC) has been used to relieve voiding problems for 4000 years. Although the materials used have changed since the ancient Egyptians used papyrus reeds and the Chinese the stalks of alum, ISC continues to play an important role in managing bladder dysfunction. ISC has the potential to reduce infection risks and transform the lives of people with bladder dysfunction (Woodward and Rew, 2003; Nazarko, 2010). This article aims to provide a brief update on ISC. Intermittent self-catheterization involves a person passing an intermittent catheter into the bladder to drain urine. The catheter is passed, urine is drained and the catheter is removed. The bladder is drained intermittently. ISC has been described as the 'gold standard' of interventions to drain the bladder when a person has voiding dysfunction (Pomfret and Winder, 2007). ISC can be used in those who have difficulty emptying the bladder and also for those who are completely unable to empty the bladder without catheterization. If the person is unable to void then ISC will be required 4-6 times daily. If the person is able to void then the amount of urine left in the bladder after voiding (residual urine) will determine how often ISC is required. This is normally between one and three times daily (Naish,2003).