Research project: The role of bladder stretching in maintaining bladder health during long-term catheterisation
Urinary catheters are frequently used in clinical practice to manage bladder dysfunction by facilitating drainage of urine via a catheter inserted into the bladder. However, catheter-associated complications, including urinary tract infection (which can lead to life threatening infection), bladder spasm and recurrent catheter blockage by mucoid and/or mineral deposits from urine, are very common. Long-term catheter use may also be linked to cancer.