Long-Term Intermittent Catheterization: The Experience of Teenagers and Young Adults with Myelomeningocele

Abstract

An interview study of the practical aspects of clean intermittent self-catheterization was performed in 26 randomly chosen teenagers and young adults with myelomeningocele who had been using the procedure for 7.5 to 12 years. Self-catheterization was well accepted as a part of daily life. Even if complete dryness was not attained the subjects appreciated the smaller pads and the decrease in leakage, which was a source of embarrassment. No one in the study group wanted to return to the previous voiding technique. Careful introduction, continuous support and consistent encouragement were important factors in obtaining these favorable results.

Intermittent catheterization with hydrophilic catheters as a treatment of chronic neurogenic urinary retention

“…Continence is the primary determinant of long-term acceptance of IC, followed by the ability to self-catheterize. 12 IC is accepted by a high proportion of patients with neurogenic bladder, 33,37,38 although more data are required to determine the success rate in unselected populations of new IC users.…”

“…46 If the neurogenic bladder is poorly managed, the embarrassment of accidents can result in withdrawal from social contact. 33,45 As a technique, IC is acceptable to patients 33,37,38 after careful training to overcome new users' embarrassment and anxiety. 46 Privacy is a key factor, 47--49 and if IC can be done without assis- Multiple sclerosis, voiding dysfunction secondary to back injury, spina bifida (n = 27 adults) Overall preference was for SpeediCath in terms of convenience (88%, P = 0.000), discretion (88%, P = 0.000), and speed of use (76%, P = 0.015)…”

Psychosocial factors in teenagers and young adults with myelomeningocele and clean intermittent catheterization

“…Thus, after more than 5 years' experience of CIC, the technique itself was not a problem in daily life. This study did not find any negative psychosocial influences with CIC, since all answered that they had been dry or drier since starting of CIC [2]. However, all the participants revealed psychosocial problems related to their disability, despite their positive attitudes toward CIC.…”

Teaching children clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) in a group setting

“…For patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction, longterm treatment with CISC [12] led to improvement or normalization of dilatation of the upper urinary tract and of VUR.…”

“…It is not clear why the procedure of CISC is successfully performed by children in some cases but not in others. Most research concerns physical outcome such as reduction of UTI, and improvement or normalization of dilatation of the upper urinary tract and VUR [3,12,13].…”