So, what kind of lubricant is used in which catheter? To this end, the author consulted some literature and learned together.


First, the possible harm of paraffin oil to the human body
1. Paraffin oil, also known as mineral oil, is a colorless and odorless mixture obtained from crude oil fractionation. Mineral oil with poor purification and high impurities has certain carcinogenicity.


2. Paraffin oil is insoluble in water, easy to adhere, difficult to be absorbed by the body, difficult to discharge, easy to adhere to the urethra, and patients with long-term intermittent urethral catheterization are prone to complications such as urethral stricture and urinary tract infection.


2. Can paraffin oil be used for the lubrication of latex urinary catheters?
The research by Gong Lixiong, Zhu Yongchao, Wang Li, etc., the research on disposable sterile catheter lubricants shows that liquid paraffin can affect domestic latex catheters, imported latex catheters, lightly siliconized latex catheters, and severe Siliconized latex catheters, rubber catheters, and silicone balloon catheters all have a great impact, greatly reducing the balloon's bearing capacity, and greatly increasing the risk of balloon rupture.


The effects of liquid paraffin on the catheter balloon are in the order of latex catheter, lightly siliconized latex catheter, severe siliconized latex catheter, rubber catheter, and silicone catheter.


In the study of Jiang Fenglian, Chang Houyi, and Liu Peizhen, the analysis of the cause of latex urinary catheter drainage caused by paraffin oil in 11 postoperative patients showed that the large-dose use of paraffin oil as a lubricant for latex urinary catheters caused 11 cases of urethral catheters. The main reason for rupture and detubation.


The above research shows that liquid paraffin is corrosive to the catheter, reduces the tightness of the material of the catheter, increases the risk of rupture of the catheter, especially has a greater impact on thin-walled airbags, and easily leads to balloon rupture. Therefore, it cannot be used for the lubrication of latex urinary catheters.


3. Can paraffin oil be used for the lubrication of silicone catheters?
In the study of Jiang Fenglian, Chang Houyi, and Liu Peizhen, the analysis of the cause of latex urinary catheter prolapse caused by paraffin oil in 11 postoperative patients showed that paraffin oil was not significantly corrosive to silicone and would not cause balloon rupture.


Huang Zeyan's investigation and analysis of preoperative patients with latex catheter drainage or balloon rupture caused by paraffin oil also showed that oily lubricants such as paraffin oil were not significantly corrosive to silicone and did not cause balloon rupture.


Gong Lixiong, Zhu Yongchao, Wang Li and other studies on disposable sterilized catheter lubricants have shown that petroleum-based lubricants such as liquid paraffin have a great impact on latex, rubber, and silicone catheters.


So the question is, can we use silicone oil to lubricate the silicone catheter?


The answer is no. In the manual of a brand silicone catheter of the author above, it is clearly stipulated that the use of paraffin oil to lubricate the silicone catheter is prohibited.


What kind of lubricant should be used for latex catheters?
Dimethicone (usually used for gastroscopy and colonoscopy), lidocaine gel, tetracaine glue, glycerol, iodophor.


5. What kind of lubricant should be used for silicone catheters?
Lidocaine gel, tetracaine glue, glycerol, iodophor.


Silicone urinary catheters cannot be lubricated with methyl silicone oil, because methyl silicone oil can reduce the force between the molecular chains of silicone rubber, thereby reducing the degree of tension of the plastic urinary catheter, increasing the silicone urethral catheter rupture and balloon rupture risks of.


See you at 100
For this purpose, the author also conducted an experiment. A silicone-coated common urinary catheter was dipped in paraffin oil with a cotton ball and rubbed and lubricated. The urinary catheter was stored in the air for 20 days without rupture of the airbag. Because it was placed in the air, It is not tested in the urine environment, so the test has certain limitations. However, when the airbag is immersed in paraffin oil for 24 hours, when it is touched lightly, the airbag ruptures, as shown in the figure. This fully shows that paraffin oil is corrosive to latex, especially the capsule wall is thin and easy to rupture.