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Extensive studies support scientific literature claiming that use of hydrophilic catheters reduce urethral trauma and urinary tract infections. This in turn can minimize the need for antibiotics. Because of these benefits, we now know that hydrophilic catheters are one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent long term urological complications in general and UTI in particular.

Patient adherence plays a key role in a successful and cost-effective catheterization treatment. A patient who feels part of the decision-making, in control of his options and how they work with his lifestyle is more inclined to stick with his therapy and subsequently experience a good clinical outcome.

With more than 30 years on the market, LoFric has been used and documented in several ways. In addition to efficiently emptying the bladder, LoFric’s versatile use includes treatment and prevention of recurrent strictures,1 2 3 4 5 administration of chemotherapy by bladder instillation,6 7 and resolution of rare complications.8

The no-touch technique includes use of a catheter constructed for introduction without touch by the user’s hands.

Bladder instillation is used for local administration of drugs into the bladder. This is used for treatment of interstitial cystitis and cancer, for example. Drugs are being delivered by catheters and a hydrophilic-coated surface such as that of the LoFric catheters reduces the risk for trauma associated with instillation therapy.

For those who cannot empty their bladder the normal way, intermittent catheterization is the therapy of choice to maintain urethral health. Complications are common but when hydrophilic single-use catheters entered the market, the risks of UTI dropped significantly. Low friction seemed to be key to maintain urethral health. Today, there is only one hydrophilic catheter that is scientifically proven to reduce complications also after long-term use.

Single-use hydrophilic catheters were developed in the early eighties to address long-term complications of intermittent catheterization as seen when reusing plastic catheters with add-on lubrication. As reported by Wyndaele and Maes1 and Perrouin-Verbe et al.2 the majority of complications related to intermittent catheterization occur after long-term use as a result of damage to the urethral wall from repeated catheterizations. In contrast, long-term use of LoFric hydrophilic catheters is reported to prevent urethral trauma and complications.3 4

Available clinical evidence supports the strategy to always consider intermittent catheterization as the first therapeutic choice, before considering the use of an indwelling catheter. Intermittent catheterization is the first therapeutic choice and is a safer bladder management method than both urethral and suprapubic indwelling catheters. Intermittent catheterization is central to reduce morbidity related to renal failure and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Read about urethral strictures, treatment and studies.

Urine often has a high concentration of particles and low content of water. This is referred to as high osmolality. Urine osmolality has a direct effect on catheter lubrication and plays an important role for people who use hydrophilic catheters. Catheters with a surface osmolality in balance with urine is key to reducing withdrawal friction.

According to WHO the problem of antimicrobial resistance is so serious that it threatens our modern healthcare system.1 By 2050 it may cause 10 million deaths2 or more if we lose our ability to use effective antibiotics.

A lubricated catheter is recommended to reduce damage to the urethra and lower the risk of hematuria which is a common complication. A cross-over study comparing different hydrophilic catheters showed an even lower frequency of hematuria in patients who chose LoFric.

In this publication highlight you can read about pediatric constipation causes, impact and management.

In this science article a combined retrospective and cross-sectional survey study investigates chronic idiopathic constipation in children and bowel regimen with bowel irrigation, also called transanal irrigation (TAI).

This is a summary of the published article Long-term efficacy and safety of transanal irrigation in multiple sclerosis by Passananti et al. 2016

Summary of first data on Navina Smart

In this summary you can read about what a neurogenic bowel is and goals and recommendations for treatment.

Bowel problems in children are common, up to 29% of children can be affected by functional constipation and functional fecal incontinence.

Transanal irrigation (TAI) is a well-documented and safe bowel management therapy. Today, compliance is the major issue with TAI therapy, and may be improved through greater knowledge of which patient is best suited for TAI. Patient training and close follow up with digital support during start up may also increase compliance.

Fecal incontinence (FI) means involuntary loss of rectal content such as solid and liquid stool, mucus or flatus. FI is not a diagnosis but a symptom. It is considered a stigmatizing condition, and fear of having an accident in public restricts the social and working life for those who experience it. Although there are many treatment options, their long-term efficacy is poorly investigated.

Defecation disorders are common in conditions affecting the nervous system, such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and severe Parkinson’s disease, and have great impact on self-esteem, personal relationships and social life.1,2 Severity of the disorder often correlates to quality of life2 which is why improving bowel function is rated among the highest priorities among affected patients.3,4 Transanal Irrigation (TAI) offers a good, non-invasive, treatment alternative for these patients.

Bowel dysfunction is surrounded by misconceptions and taboos that may interfere with treatment and that may result in self-medication not always innocuous to the patient care.