Early intermittent self-catheterisation after spinal cord injury.

An evaluation has been made of intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) carried out by 25 paraplegic patients early after injury. The results were compared with those of intermittent catheterisation (IC) done in another 48 paraplegic patients by a catheter team. No significant difference was found regarding the rate of urinary infection or the incidence of urethral trauma. The final outcome of bladder training did not differ significantly between the two groups. Patients on self-catheterisation went home earlier for the weekend. Most patients and their relatives found that self-catheterisation in the early stage was easy to perform and meant a more active participation in bladder training. Early self-catheterisation may help to overcome a nursing staff shortage in a busy acute spinal cord injury ward.