Toxic catheters and urethral strictures: A concern about types of catheters used in resource-poor countries

Abstract

Various reports in the literature have confirmed urethral toxicity caused by the use of catheters, mostly latex catheters and their coated versions, resulting in long-segment urethral strictures or strictures located in multiple areas of the urethra. Most catheters used in resource-poor countries, such as Nigeria, are latex catheters with various coatings, such as silicone. The reasons for the widespread use of these potentially toxic catheters are mainly non-availability and/or the high cost of less toxic catheters. We report three cases of urethral strictures following the use of siliconized latex catheters in order to highlight the potential urethral toxicity associated with the use of latex catheters and to draw the authorities’ attention to the need to regulate the types of catheters used in the country.