Percutaneous Drainage in the Management of Urethral Blockages in Cats

PICO question In adult male cats with a urethra blockage, is indwelling catheterisation more effective than percutaneous drainage in reducing the incidence of recurrence? Clinical bottom line Based on the available literature, it would appear that recurrence rates following percutaneous drainage are broadly similar to those managed with indwelling catheterisation. However, the level of evidence supporting the use of percutaneous drainage is very low and there are significant uncontrolled variables between all available studies, with the consequences that meaningful comparisons between recurrence rates are not possible. More studies are needed before routine use of percutaneous drainage as an alternative to indwelling catheterisation can be advocated.