Urethral epithelial cells on the surface on hydrophilic catheters after intermittent catheterization: cross-over study with two catheters

Aim: To count the number of cells on the surface of the two commercial hydrophilic catheters, Lofric(R) and EasiCath(R) used for intermittent catheterization (IC) after 30-60 s in water without the necessity of catheter jelly. Participants: Twenty spinal cord lesioned (SCL) individuals. Six were women, and 14 men. Methods: IC was performed on average five times a day (range: 4-10). In a randomised cross-over design all catheterizations were performed either with Lofric(R) or EasiCath(R) in two consecutive 24 h periods. The catheter used for the last catheterization in each 24 h period was fixed, and divided into pieces of 5 cm. From each of these a piece with the length of 5 mm was taken for surface microscopy after staining. The total number of cells was counted without knowledge of the type of catheter. According to the fractionator principle an unbiased estimate of the total number of cells on the surface of the cateter was calculated. Results: There was no difference in the number of urethral epithelia cells on the catheters. No granulocytes were identified. The number of cells identified on the catheters were from 30 to > 10 000. No differences related to age, level of SCL, ASIA impairment scale, months since SCL or type of IC were found. There was a trend that women had higher cell counts than men. Conclusion: No difference was found regarding number of urethral epithelial cells on the surface of the catheters after catheterization. This indicates no difference in urethral trauma between the two catheters.