Male external catheter (MEC), also known as condom catheter is used to treat urine incontinence in men. It is a simple sheath that is worn on penis, just like a condom. End of the external urinary catheter is attached to a drainage tube which directs the flow of urine into a drainage bag. Many people prefer condom catheters over indwelling catheters because indwelling catheters require insertion through the urethra. External catheter for men is very simple and easy to use, as it is just required to be rolled on to the penis.
There are different types of external male urinary catheters available. The main difference between them is based on the material, shape and adhesive type.
Based on the type of material used, there are four types of male external catheters containing latex, silicone, poly vinyl chloride and polyurethane.
Latex is a very soft and flexible natural product. External condom catheters made up of latex are easy to roll on the penis because of their flexibility. Also, they feel very soft against the skin.
Silicone is a translucent, breathable and bio-compatible material. For those who have latex allergies, silicone external urinary catheters can be a great alternative. They are skin-friendly and their translucency allows the users to inspect the skin for any irritation or skin problem.
Poly vinyl chloride is a synthetic plastic polymer with resistant material which can stand against urine and mechanical impact. PVC male external catheters may have bio-hazardous effects in long run.
Just like PVC, polyurethane is also a synthetic material. PU condom catheters are thinner and provide more comfort as compared to other materials. Many of the latex free external catheters for males are made from PU.
The male external catheters can be divided into one-piece or two-piece on the basis of shape of the catheters.
One-piece male external catheters constitute of a single piece that is just required to be pulled on. There is no need to struggle with wearing on two or more pieces.
Two-piece external urinary catheters consist of two parts. One part is worn on the penis and it remains there. The other part is a removable drainage tip that is connected to the drainage tube.
There are two types of external catheters based on the type of adhesive used, namely, non-adhesive external catheters and self-adhesive external catheters.
Non-adhesive male external catheters do not contain any adhesive. They are required to be affixed to the penis with the help of skin glue, single or double-sided adhesive strips or foam strips. Skin adhesive is applied before rolling on the catheter. Adhesive strips are encircled on the penis to attach the catheter. Reusable foam and elastic strips are used where there is frequent need of replacing the catheter.
Self-adhesive external catheters have a sticky film on their inner surface which helps them in attaching to the penis. They are simply rolled up and pressed gently to fix in place.
For appropriate male external catheter sizing, circumference of penis is required to be measured. In order to get the right size, penis is measured at the shaft where its diameter is the largest. Patient should sit on the edge of a bed or chair with slight distance between the legs. In this position, best measurement can be taken. There is no need to measure the length of the penis. Condom catheters usually fit most penis lengths, except for the case where it is retracted or small.
If there is some confusion between two sizes, select the smaller one for better fit and leakage protection. Material of male external catheters is flexible and will snugly fit around the penis. Larger of the two sizes can result in leakage.
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