Costs and benefits of using urinary catheters

Aurinary catheter is a hollow tube that is inserted into the bladder, either intermittently or indwelling, for the purpose of draining urine or instilling fluids into the bladder. Urinary catheterization has been practised for thousands of years. The first recorded use of urethral catheters was from ancient Egypt, where papyrus reeds were used to artificially drain the bladder. Throughout history, there is documented evidence that catheters made from a variety of materials have been successfully used to aid urinary drainage. However, catheters have become associated with numerous problems that ensue from their use. This articles looks at the advantages and disadvantages of their use.