Comparison of silicone and latex catheters in the development of urethral stricture after cardiac surgery.

In an earlier series of 100 men followed up for between 3 and 12 months after coronary artery bypass grafting, the incidence of urethral stricture was 2%. These patients have now been followed up for between 15 and 24 months and the incidence of urethral stricture has risen to 5.2%. Latex catheters were used in these patients. A separate group of 117 men underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and were catheterised with silicone catheters. They were followed up for between 12 and 28 months and no urethral strictures were found. It is recommended that silicone catheters be used routinely for short-term catheterisation in men undergoing cardiac bypass surgery.