Affiliations: [a] Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | [b] Department of Radiology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | [c] College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | [d] College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | [e] Department of Urology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Ayman Al-Jazaeri, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 7805, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: aljazaeri@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: A multi-pod catheter (MPC) is a large drainage catheter that can house multiple smaller retractable (MPC-R) and deployable catheters (MPC-D) within the body. OBJECTIVE: The drainage capabilities and resistance to clogging of a novel MPC have been assessed. METHODS: The drainage capabilities are evaluated by placing the MPC in a bag of either a non-clogging (H2O) or clogging medium. The results are then compared to matched-size single-lumen catheters with either a close (CTC) or open tip (OTC). The means of five test runs were used to measure drainage rate, maximum drained volume (MaxDV), and time to drain the first 200 mL (TTD200). RESULTS: In the non-clogging medium, MPC-D had a slightly higher MaxDV than MPC-R, and higher flow rate than CTC and MPC-R. Moreover, MPC-D needed less TTD200 than MPC-R. In the clogging medium, MPC-D had a higher MaxDV than CTC and OTC, higher flow rate, and faster TTD200 than CTC. However, comparison with MPC-R showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The novel catheter may offer superior drainage compared to the single-lumen catheter in a clogging medium, implying various clinical applications, particularly when clogging is a potential risk. Further testing may be required to simulate various clinical scenarios.
