Généralités

Intermittent catheterisation: the common complications

Intermittent catheterisation (IC) has been in practice for more than 40 years and is considered the gold standard in the management of urinary retention in the neurological bladder. IC has many advantages over indwelling urethral or suprapubic catheterisation, including reducing the risk of infection, protecting the bladder and improving quality of life. However, complications can be caused by the practice of this technique, the most common of which is infection. This review discusses some of the common complications that can occur with the use of intermittent catheterisation, including urinary tract infection (UTIs) and urethral complications. It also highlights the role of the nurse in the management of its complications.

Clinical and computed tomography factors associated with sepsis in women with clinically uncomplicated pyelonephritis

OBJECTIVE

Sepsis is major determinants of prognosis in acute pyelonephritis (APN). This study aimed to assess factors associated with the development of sepsis among patients with clinically uncomplicated APN.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We examined 463 patients presenting to our hospital without complications. We assessed clinical factors including demographic and laboratory features. Renal and extrarenal features on computed tomography (CT) were also analyzed. Risk factors of sepsis are assessed.

RESULTS

The study included 361 patients without (78.0%) and 102 patients with sepsis (22.0%). Crude and attributable mortality rates were 3.9% and 2.0% versus 1.4% and 0.6%, respectively, among patients with and without sepsis. Clinical risk factors for sepsis were age >65 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.79, P = 0.02), absence of flank pain (OR 1.59, P = 0.04), absence of costovertebral tenderness (OR 1.89, P = 0.03), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.25, P = 0.02), bacteremia (OR 2.8, P = 0.01), C-reactive protein level >100 mg/L (OR 1.42, P = 0.02), and lack of previous APN history (OR 1.76, P = 0.04). APN grade IV (OR 3.16, P = 0.01), high grade hydronephrosis (OR 1.50, P = 0.03), diffuse peritoneal thickening (OR 4.12, P = 0.01), and acute interstitial pulmonary edema (OR 3.73, P = 0.01) were the CT features predictive of septic shock.

CONCLUSIONS

Although uncomplicated APN was largely non-fatal, several clinical and CT features could lead to sepsis. Our findings may be useful for predicting sepsis risk and deciding whether intravenous antibiotic treatment and intensive management should be initiated for uncomplicated APN.

[Expert opinion on surgical care pathway management of neurologic patients from Neuro-Urology Committee of the French National Association of Urology (AFU)]

The surgical care pathway of neurologic patients has two aims: preventing urinary morbidity and mortality and improving their quality of life. It requires taking into account the specificities of disabilities in domains of body functions: circulatory, ventilation and digestive physiology, motor functions, sensory functions, mental functions, and skin fragility which are responsible of dependencies in this heterogeneous group of patients. This management is necessarily multidisciplinary to be optimal and through specific clinical care pathway, providing guidance to the surgical procedure: preparation of the surgery, its realization, and post-operative rehabilitation. The indication for surgery must be coordinated and validated in neuro-urology multidisciplinary staff. Preoperative stay in a physical and rehabilitation medicine center may be useful to ensure a complete assessment and anticipate problems related to surgery. The patient will be hospitalized in the urology department in a single room suited to their disabilities and handicaps. The chronic treatments should be not modified if possible. The lack of sensitivity does not dispense anesthesia to prevent autonomic hyperreflexia, the most severe complication after high complete spinal cord injury. The laparoscopy and sub-peritoneal surgery, the early removal nasogastric tube and early refeeding make it possible to early resumption of intestinal transit. In many cases, the patients should be transferred to a physical and rehabilitation medicine during post-operative period where the nursing care will be most suitable. A quickly adapted rehabilitation must be able to reduce loss of function and physical dependence.