Articles and Webinars

In this webinar you will hear Consultant Urological Surgeon Erik Sagen talk about benign prostatic enlargement, which symptoms this may cause and available treatments.

Safety is always important and that includes insight on what may happen when you perform transanal irrigation (TAI). Bowel perforation is a severe but rare risk with TAI that is important to be aware of. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a condition that may affect as many as 90% of spinal cord injured patients with injuries at or above the 6th thoracic vertebrae. Users could also experience bleeding, challenges with the rectal balloon and leakage. A specialist is in the following films sharing his tricks to a successful outcome of TAI.

For those who cannot empty their bladder the normal way, intermittent catheterisation is the therapy of choice to maintain urethral health. Complications are common but when hydrophilic single-use catheters entered the market, the risks of UTI dropped significantly. Low friction seemed to be key to maintain urethral health. Today, there is only one hydrophilic catheter that is scientifically proven to reduce complications also after long-term use.

Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common in the hospital setting with consequential morbidity and mortality. The risk of bacterial adhesion and invasion of the urinary tract increases with use of an indwelling catheterisation and may be reduced by adopting intermittent catheterisation using hydrophilic single-use catheters.

Patient adherence plays a key role in a successful and cost-effective catheterisation treatment. A patient who feels part of the decision-making, in control of their options and how they work with their lifestyle is more inclined to stick with their therapy and subsequently experience a good clinical outcome.

Urine often has a high concentration of particles and low content of water. This is referred to as high osmolality. Urine osmolality has a direct effect on catheter lubrication and plays an important role for people who use hydrophilic catheters. A catheter with a surface osmolality in balance with urine is key to reducing withdrawal friction.

A lubricated catheter is recommended to reduce damage to the urethra and lower the risk of hematuria which is a common complication. A cross-over study comparing different hydrophilic catheters showed an even lower frequency of hematuria in patients who chose LoFric.