indications for permanent catheterisation

Last reviewed 01/2018

Indications for long term catheterisation include:

  • urethral obstruction e.g. from prostatic hypertrophy or carcinoma, where surgery is not possible
  • incontinence as a consequence of damage to the urethral sphincter by prostatectomy or invasive carcinoma
  • detrusor hyperactivity e.g. multiple sclerosis, when behavioural and drug treatments have failed
  • palliative or terminal care