Delayed versus immediate urethral catheterization following instillation of local anaesthetic gel in men: A randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: The product information for local anaesthetic (lignocaine) gel recommends a delay of 'several minutes' between gel instillation and urethral catheterization in men. However, pilot data indicate that approximately half of physicians omit this delay. We aimed to compare the discomfort of urethral catheterization performed immediately or after a 2 min delay following instillation of local anaesthetic gel. Methods: We undertook a randomized, controlled, single-blinded, clinical trial in four large ED. A convenience sample of men requiring urethral catheterization for urinary retention or output monitoring was enrolled. Participants were randomized to catheterization either immediat..