(1) The authors have reported the results of intermittent catheterisation in 42 paraplegics and tetraplegics who were hospitalized in the Centre during the acute stage of their injury, i.e., within the first 2 months. 26 of these patients were admitted within a fortnight after their injury and among them 10 within the very first hours. (2) The authors have shown that with catheterised urine a bacterial count of 104 per ml is closest to the clinical standard of sterile urine. (3) 41 of 42 patients (98%) were discharged catheter-free, with a balanced bladder function. In this study 7 of 8 patients (88%) left the Centre with sterile urine. (4) If we take into account the single daily catheterisation which is needed at the end of most bladder rehabilitation cases, the average period of time for achieving a balanced bladder function was 80 days. (5) During the period of intermittent catheterisation in the same patient, infection rate was 16 of 100 days. After discontinuing catheterisations the probability of re-infection in a patient with sterile urine remained within the same limits. (6) 23% of the patients who entered the centre with sterile urine remained sterile throughout the period of intermittent catheterisation. (7) In 10 of the 12 patients who were admitted with infected urine, myelopathy was older than 3 weeks. This underlines the importance of sending a patient with an acute spinal cord injury as quickly as possible to a specialized centre. (8) Patients who were admitted with an indwelling catheter and with infected urine became sterile after an average period of 10 days of intermittent catheterisation associated with a general and local antibiotic treatment. (9) 1 of 3 patients who left the Centre with a balanced bladder function and with sterile urine was found to be infected at the next check-up. This shows that it is necessary for any rehabilitated patient who has left the Centre to have a periodic bacteriological urinary control. (10) The authors have shown that when intermittent catheterisations are done by well-trained and competent nurses, the results are as good as when they are performed by physicians.

Keywords:
Intermittent catheterisation, Neurogenic bladder, Traumatic acute spinal cord lesions, Urinary infection
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© 1972 S. Karger AG, Basel
1972
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