This document summarizes clinical studies that show the superiority of suprapubic catheterization compared to transurethral catheterization. It reports that suprapubic catheterization has significantly lower infection rates, up to 87% reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), fewer complications, higher patient preference of 89%, and lower treatment costs. It also notes that multiple clinical studies found reductions in CAUTIs ranging from 43.3% to 86.6% with suprapubic catheterization.

1. Taking complications out
of suprapubic cystostomy.
©2016 Swan Valley Medical, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. The T-SPeC® Surgical System is a patented medical device. U.S. and International Patents Pending.
Misplaced Trust
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References | SWANVALLEYMEDICAL.COM/REFERENCES
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Superiority of suprapubic vs. transurethral catheterization:
• Significantly lower infection rates (up to 87% reduction)
• Fewer complications
• Higher patient preference (89%)
• Lower treatment cost
The suprapubic option is no longer the last resort.
T-SPeC®
enables safe suprapubic catheter placement.
Clinical evidence
suggests it’s time to
change the approach,
not just the catheter.
The Urethral “Foley” Catheter

2. ©2016 Swan Valley Medical, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. The T-SPeC® Surgical System is a patented medical device. U.S. and International Patents Pending.
7000856_1
Clinical studies prove suprapubic approach
is superior to transurethral catheterization.
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86.6% CAUTI Reduction:
Prospective randomized controlled trial of urethral versus suprapubic catheterization.
“We propose that, when catheterization is required during a general surgical procedure, the suprapubic route is to be preferred.”
Sethia KK, Selkon JB, Berry AR, Turner CM, Kettlewell MG, Gough MH. Prospective randomized controlled trial of urethral versus suprapubic catheterization. Br J Surg. 1987 Jul;74(7):624-5.
77.8% CAUTI Reduction:
Suprapubic or urethral catheter: what is the optimal method of bladder drainage after radical hysterectomy.
“...suprapubic catheterization is associated with a lower rate of UTI and an earlier trial of voiding...”
Wells TH, Steed H, Capstick V, Schepanksy A, Hiltz M, Faught W. Suprapubic or urethral catheter: what is the optimal method of bladder drainage after radical hysterectomy? J Obstet Gynaecol Can.
2008;30(11):1034-8.
73% CAUTI Reduction:
Suprapubic Percutaneous Cystostomy versus Urethral Catheterisation in Abdominal Surgery: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Study.
“SPC is a simple and safe method for draining the urinary bladder. It allows prompt re-establishment of normal micturition, is better tolerated by the patients and has a
lower risk of complications.”
Botsios D. · Demetriades Ch. · Goulimaris I. · Kanellos I. · Dadoukis I., 4th Surgical Department, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, G. Papanicolaou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece, Dig Surg
1997;14:404–408 (DOI:10.1159/000172583)
65% CAUTI Reduction:
Suprapubic Bladder Drainage in General Surgery.
“The results reported favor suprapubic over urethral catheterization in that urinary tract infections are reduced.”
35% incidence of bacteriuria (100% for urethral catheters inserted an equal length of time
55% CAUTI Reduction:
Acute urinary retention. Comparison of suprapubic and urethral catheterisation.
“We recommend that the use of suprapubic catheters should become the preferred initial treatment for acute urinary retention.”
Horgan AF, Prasad B, Waldron DJ, O’Sullivan DC. Acute urinary retention. Comparison of suprapubic and urethral catheterisation.
Br J Urol. 1992;70(2):149-51.
54% CAUTI Reduction:
Is suprapubic cystostomy an optimal urinary management in high quadriplegics? A comparative study of suprapubic cystostomy and clean
intermittent catheterization.
“SPC is a valuable option of urinary management for quadriplegic patients...”
Mitsui T, Minami K, Furuno T, Morita H, Koyanagi T. Is suprapubic cystostomy an optimal urinary management in high quadriplegics?. A comparative study of suprapubic cystostomy and clean intermittent
catheterization. Eur Urol. 2000;38 (4):434-8.
43.3% CAUTI Reduction:
Suprapubic bladder drainage versus a transurethral catheter in patients following anterior colporrhaphy.
“The additional time required for placing the suprapubic catheter postoperatively is by far outweighed by the advantages of this system, such as shorter hospitalization
and a lower incidence of urinary tract infections.”
Feiks A, Kosain K, Gruber W. Suprapubic bladder drainage versus a transurethral catheter in patients following anterior colporrhaphy. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1987;99(8):268-72.
Less pain and discomfort with SPC:
Published evidence favors the use of suprapubic catheters in pelvic colorectal surgery.
“The results reported favor suprapubic over urethral catheterization in that urinary tract infections are reduced.”
Branagan GW, Moran BJ. Published evidence favors the use of suprapubic catheters in pelvic colorectal surgery. Dis Colon Rectum. 2002;45(8):1104-8.
Coated catheters do not significantly reduce CAUTI:
Antimicrobial Catheters for Reduction of Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infection in Adults Requiring Short-term Catheterisation in Hospital:
A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial.
“The reduction we noted in CAUTI associated with nitrofural-impregnated catheters was less than that regarded as clinically important.”
Pickard R; Lam T; MacLennan G; Starr K; Kilonzo M; McPherson G; Gillies K; McDonald A; Walton K; Buckley B; Glazener C; Boachie C; Burr J; Norrie J; Vale L; Grant A; N’Dow J Institute of Cellular Medicine,
Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. robert.pickard@newcastle.ac.uk