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Siliconized Foley catheters
Siliconized KITTI
Foley Catheters
KALAMBAHETI,
M.D.,*
S ILIcoNEs substances
No. F 22, each with a 30 cc. bag, were used in all of them. In the first group siliconized Foley catheters were used. The second group was a “control group” in which untreated catheters were employed.
are relatively inert polymeric whose basic structure is a chain of silicon and oxygen atoms (Si-0-Si-0). Chemically the silicone materials have been proved to be nontoxic. According to McGregor [l], in a review of data on the biologic response to the ingestion, injection, inhalation, introduction into the eye, and absorption through the skin, it can be concluded that silicone or preparations thereof produce no toxicity in most instances. Late in 1960 Cantor [2,3] reported that siliconized intestinal decompression tubes produced less irritation to the nasal mucosa. This report drew our attention to investigate the clinical use of Foley urethral catheters coated with silicone.
RESULTS
The average age in both groups was close, as was the duration of indwelling of the catheter. (Table I.) The most significant symptom was a TABLE I SILICONIZEDFOLEY CATHETERS Data ~~~~~-_-_
Preparafion of Cathefers. Medical Fluid 360t [4], a clear, colorless silicone fluid, was applied to the inner and outer walls of the catheters by soaking them in the silicone solution (viscosity of 100 centistokes) about ten minutes at room temperature. They were then exposed to air at room temperature for fortyeight hours before being autoclaved. Clinical Materials. To avoid other factors that might influence the result of this experiment, a group of patients who had similar problems and were in the same age group were selected. Forty patients who underwent transurethral prostatic resection for benign prostatic hypertrophy by the same urologist were studied in this experiment. They were divided into two groups of tlventy patients each. Foley catheters
Test
Control
70.7
70 2
3.5
34
_~
15 10 75
85 5 10
0 35 65
15 75 10
burning sensation in the urethra. In the test group only 15 per cent had severe urethral burning whereas 85 per cent of patients in the control group had this complaint. Furthermore. only 35 per cent in the test group had slight mucopurulent urethral discharge. This seemed to be significantly different from those in the control group _ _ in which 90 per cent produced slight to marked mucopurulent urethral discharge.
* Medical Fluid 360 (dimethyl-polysiloxane) was supplied through the courtesy of Mr. Donald J. Badamo, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan.
t PRESENT ADDRESS: Hawaiian Permanentc 1965
_
dverage age (years) Average duration of indwelling catheter (days) Burning sensation in urethra (per cent) Severe Slight None Pus from urethra (per cent) Marked Slight None
METHOD
Vol. 110, December
Harlan, Kentucky
935
Medical
Group, Honolulu,
Hawaii.
Kalambaheti
936 CONCLUSION
It appears that the application of silicone to Foley catheters renders them less irritating to the urethra. As a result less mucopurulent discharge is produced in the patient. Therefore, patients in whom siliconized Foley catheters were used were found to be more comfortable.
REFERENCES
1. MCGREGOR, R. R. Toxicology of certain silicone fluids. Bull. Dow Corning Centerfor Aid to Medical Research, 2: 15, 1960. 2. CANTOR, M. 0. Siliconizing intestinal decompression tubes. Am. J. Surg., 100: 584, 1960. 3. CANTOR, M. 0. Silicone rubber intestinal decompression tubes. AWL J. Surg., 103: 232, 1962. 4. Dow Corning Medical Material Data. Bulletin No. 14-003, p. 1, 1963.
American
Journal of Surgevy
Foley Catheters
KALAMBAHETI,
M.D.,*
S ILIcoNEs substances
No. F 22, each with a 30 cc. bag, were used in all of them. In the first group siliconized Foley catheters were used. The second group was a “control group” in which untreated catheters were employed.
are relatively inert polymeric whose basic structure is a chain of silicon and oxygen atoms (Si-0-Si-0). Chemically the silicone materials have been proved to be nontoxic. According to McGregor [l], in a review of data on the biologic response to the ingestion, injection, inhalation, introduction into the eye, and absorption through the skin, it can be concluded that silicone or preparations thereof produce no toxicity in most instances. Late in 1960 Cantor [2,3] reported that siliconized intestinal decompression tubes produced less irritation to the nasal mucosa. This report drew our attention to investigate the clinical use of Foley urethral catheters coated with silicone.
RESULTS
The average age in both groups was close, as was the duration of indwelling of the catheter. (Table I.) The most significant symptom was a TABLE I SILICONIZEDFOLEY CATHETERS Data ~~~~~-_-_
Preparafion of Cathefers. Medical Fluid 360t [4], a clear, colorless silicone fluid, was applied to the inner and outer walls of the catheters by soaking them in the silicone solution (viscosity of 100 centistokes) about ten minutes at room temperature. They were then exposed to air at room temperature for fortyeight hours before being autoclaved. Clinical Materials. To avoid other factors that might influence the result of this experiment, a group of patients who had similar problems and were in the same age group were selected. Forty patients who underwent transurethral prostatic resection for benign prostatic hypertrophy by the same urologist were studied in this experiment. They were divided into two groups of tlventy patients each. Foley catheters
Test
Control
70.7
70 2
3.5
34
_~
15 10 75
85 5 10
0 35 65
15 75 10
burning sensation in the urethra. In the test group only 15 per cent had severe urethral burning whereas 85 per cent of patients in the control group had this complaint. Furthermore. only 35 per cent in the test group had slight mucopurulent urethral discharge. This seemed to be significantly different from those in the control group _ _ in which 90 per cent produced slight to marked mucopurulent urethral discharge.
* Medical Fluid 360 (dimethyl-polysiloxane) was supplied through the courtesy of Mr. Donald J. Badamo, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan.
t PRESENT ADDRESS: Hawaiian Permanentc 1965
_
dverage age (years) Average duration of indwelling catheter (days) Burning sensation in urethra (per cent) Severe Slight None Pus from urethra (per cent) Marked Slight None
METHOD
Vol. 110, December
Harlan, Kentucky
935
Medical
Group, Honolulu,
Hawaii.
Kalambaheti
936 CONCLUSION
It appears that the application of silicone to Foley catheters renders them less irritating to the urethra. As a result less mucopurulent discharge is produced in the patient. Therefore, patients in whom siliconized Foley catheters were used were found to be more comfortable.
REFERENCES
1. MCGREGOR, R. R. Toxicology of certain silicone fluids. Bull. Dow Corning Centerfor Aid to Medical Research, 2: 15, 1960. 2. CANTOR, M. 0. Siliconizing intestinal decompression tubes. Am. J. Surg., 100: 584, 1960. 3. CANTOR, M. 0. Silicone rubber intestinal decompression tubes. AWL J. Surg., 103: 232, 1962. 4. Dow Corning Medical Material Data. Bulletin No. 14-003, p. 1, 1963.
American
Journal of Surgevy