Intermittent self-catheterisation: good patient education and support are key

Urinary retention is the inability to passively void urine, and the preferred treatment method for managing this bladder condition is clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) (Blok et al, 2017).

CISC may be initiated for many reasons, but it is most commonly performed when there is residual urine in the bladder accompanied with voiding symptoms or complications, such as urinary tract infections, discomfort and incontinence (Vahr et al, 2012; 2013a; 2013b). Bladder treatments such as botulinum toxin injections and oral antimuscarinics are prescribed to reduce detrusor overactivity, but can cause incomplete bladder emptying if overly effective (Liberman et al, 2018). CISC is often initiated for this cause.

CISC is achieved when the catheter is inserted into the urethral orifice, along the urethra and into the bladder to eliminate urine (Dougherty et al, 2015).