INTRODUCTION: Insertion of foley catheter, a very common hospital procedure, is unwelcome to the patients, because of the catheter associated pain. Catheter pain is subdivided into pain experienced as the catheter is inserted (passed), while in situ, and on removal (reference I). Different techniques have been utilized to decrease pain on insertion ranging from local anaesthetic, anti septic gel and or generous lubricating jelly. Different studies have been made addressing the catheter. This maybe the first study which aims to decrease the pain with Foley catheter removal.

METHODS: All male patients who were catheterized at Veterans Memorial Medical Center from June to September 2008 were enrolled in the study. Patients with no history of prior catheterization were randomized into a control group and experimental. The control group were patients who would undergo the conventional foley catheter removal which is pulling out the catheter. The experimental groups were patients who would utilize the "Catheter Removal by Induced Microturition" technique of foley catheter removal. This was done by filling the bladder with saline/water through the patient's foley catether. When patient had the urge to void, filling was discontinued and one and void spontaneously.

RESULTS: A total of 181 male patients who underwent Urologic procedures were included in this study. Out of the 139 patients who had no previous history of catheterization, 67 patients were assigned into the control group and 72 patients into the experimental group. The experimental group had significantly lesser pain compared to the control group. The VAS of the control group was significantly higher than the intervention with mean of 3.36 and 0.31, respectively with p-values of 0.00. The other statistical tests used in this study were Wilcoxon- Matched- Pairs Signed Ranked test, and Mann-Whitney U-test.

CONCLUSION: Comparing the "control" and "experimental" group for patients with no history of catheterization show that the "Catheter Removal by Induced Micrturition" offers a significantly less painful experience compared to the group undergoing conventional pulling of the foley catheter. It is recommended that "Catheter Removal by Induced Microturition" technique be offered and applied to our patients in the aim of reducing their pain during catheter removal.

.