Overview of clean intermittent catheterization for neurogenic bladder in a developing country: Is the sterile single-use catheter really necessary?

Abstract

In developing countries, single-use clean intermittent catheterization generates great costs to patients, caregivers, and health-care systems. Current evidence has not shown any superiority of single-use over reused catheters. Our objetive is to describe the current status of clean intermittent catheterization in developing countries and the controversies of reused catheters. In many Latin American countries, reused catheter is still the most common practice for intermittent catheterization. The shortage of resources in many health-care systems contributes to the adaptation of therapeutic guidelines based on the resources available. However, the dilemma continues regarding the safety and standardization of cleaning methods for resused catheters.