Vol. 102, Nov. Printed in U.S. A.
THE Jm:JRNAL OF UROLOGY
Copy.right © 191}9 by The \Vil.lia.ms & \Vilkins Co.
A J'\EW 3-WAY FOLEY CATHETER VICTOR C. LAUGHLIN /iroin the Department of Urology, Hi,ron Road Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
An inlying catheter is often justifiable and, on occasions, necessary despite well-documented criticisms against its use. Critics state that infection almost invariably follows prolonged usc of the inlying catheter and urologists agree that this is true in many cases. However, infection is
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but efficient antiseptic solution, the use of a 3-way catheter in selected cases would seem sensible. A tidal wave or cushion effect can be created; thus irrigating fluid can be retained in the bladder by careful regulation of the hydrostatics of the outflow drainage mechanism as previously
THREE WAY FOLEY CATHETERS (CURRENTLY AVAILABLE! FOR CONTINUOUS IRRIGATION AVERAGE ONLY 3 to 4c.rn._T~
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AVERAGE J.U:o4.0c.rn {d
INFLOW rrn:RELY TOO CLO.SE TO QIJ_T_FLQl\LINEFFECTIVE BLADDER - - - -MEDICATION-A \'/ASTE OF MAlffil/\LJ
THE NEW LAUGHLIN !3WAY. FOLEY CATHETER FOR CONTINUOUS IRRIGATION AVAILABLE IN ALL SIZES
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OUTFLOW
INEFFECTIVE OLD STYLE MODEL
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not a sufficient reason to condemn such a u~eful therapeutic aid. An inlying catheter is a foreign body and an irritant which causes inflammatory reactions and lowers localized tissue resistance which, in turn, invites infection. Therefore, since it is justifiable to continuously bathe such an area with mild Accepted for publication December 20, 1968. Read at annual meeting of North Central Section, American Urological Association, Rochester, Minnesota, September 18-21, 1968.
reportecl.1· 2 Irrigations may be continuous or intermittent, with or without the prolonged antiseptic action of retained fluids. Regardless, it is a more efficient method for management of the patient with an inlying catheter. Such a system can be used to prevent or treat infection or to prevent clot formation following a, trnns1 Laughlin, V. C.: The Laughlin irrigator. ,T. Urol., 46: 346, 1941. 2 Laughlin, V. C.: The urologator: an improved system of bladder irrigation and drainage, J, Urol., 85: 411, 1961.
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THE NEW LAUGHLIN ' 3 ~ E Y CATHETcR - FOR CONTINUOUS IRRIGATION -
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methral operation. If better results are tu be achieved our technique as 'Nell as the rathett·r must be improved. The inflow opening on the 3-,vay cathekrs currently available is fmtirely too cJm,e to the outflow opening (fig. l, A) Vfith this instrument th8 infiow malerial enters the bladder in the vicinity of the outflow op8ning of the catheter rJnly to turn around and immediately flo\Y out. In in most instances the material is sucked out thP syphon action creakd by the dmvnflcrn·. Little or no irrigation OJ. washing action takt·s :\Jo time is allowed for anti,;epsis and no cushioning, ;;oolhiug effect trorn retained fluid is aecomplished. I do noi exµect all urologi,st~ to ,tppro,·e of bladder there are many occasions when irrigations fi,re urmecro~ary and, m fact, eonLrainclieatecl. However, then: are other oecasiom, when th1ey are valuable and he] pful. The new 3-rrny Foley-type catheter may be used preo]Jerativdy or postoperatively for ron-
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tiuuous or intermittent inigatio11, or io1· drainage. The new catheter eliminates Lhe ciencies of the oJd cathdrr The extended length of the upward cmTc on the posterior w,ill the bladcler tmvarcl the dome (fig. 2, 11). Tll8 infl
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LAUGHLIN SUMMARY
A new 3-way catheter which may be used routinely for continuous or intermittent irriga+.inn
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catheter washes and/or medicates the entire bladder, not just a small portion of the bladder
floor. It is efficient and economical since it actually utilizes the medication. Tidal wave (cushioning) effect may be produced by regulating the hvdrostatics of the drainage svstem as described. This catheter has worked well in our hands.