Understanding Contino’s Safety: What Makes It Different from Catheters

Why Contino Has Fewer Adverse Events Than Catheterization

If you’re considering Contino for managing urinary incontinence, you may wonder about safety, especially if you’ve heard about complications from other urinary devices. The good news? Contino’s design fundamentally changes the risk profile compared to intermittent catheterization.

Yes, Contino is inserted and removed around each void. But here’s the critical difference: Contino stays in the urethra. It never enters your bladder.

Think of it this way:

• Contino sits at the doorway
• Catheter walks fully into the room

Intermittent catheters traverse the entire length of the urethra and pass directly into the bladder with each use. That repeated bladder access introduces a different level of exposure and risk.

Features	Contino®	Intermittent Catheter
Depth	Stays in the urethra	Passes into the bladder
Purpose	Prevent leakage	Drain bladder
Dwell time	Worn between voids	Removed immediately
Bladder access	None	Direct access
Infection pathway	Lower	Higher
Mechanical exposure	Limited	Full urethral traversal

What the Numbers Tell Us

The difference in exposure translates to dramatically different adverse event rates:

Contino’s Safety Profile:

Urethral trauma rate: approximately 1 in 100,000 uses

UTI rate: approximately 1 in 28,000 uses

Intermittent Catheter Rates: Research shows that between 14% and 45% of intermittent catheter users experience urinary tract infections.¹ Studies examining different catheter types found UTI rates of 36.9% for pre-lubricated catheters and 41.5% for hydrophilic catheters.²

The contrast is significant. Contino’s approach prevents leakage without bladder access, which materially changes the risk profile

Why Contino Is Different

Beyond avoiding repeated bladder entry, Contino offers a built-in protective mechanism. When you remove the device to void, there’s a column of urine behind it. Each time you urinate, this creates a natural flushing effect that helps clear the urethra. This regular cleansing action contributes to Contino’s remarkably low infection rate.

Additionally, Contino’s limited mechanical exposure means less irritation to the urethral tissue. While catheters must traverse the full length of the urethra—potentially causing micro-trauma with each insertion—Contino remains positioned in place between voids.

Effectiveness Without the Risk

Contino provides greater control and freedom without the elevated risks associated with catheterization. The observed UTI rate remains exceptionally low, and users can manage urinary incontinence confidently while minimizing exposure to complications.

If you have questions about whether Contino is right for you, our team provides a comprehensive assessment and ongoing support to ensure you achieve optimal results safely.

References

1. Prieto J, Murphy CL, Moore KN, Fader M. Intermittent catheterization for long-term bladder management. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;8(8):CD006008.
2. Tundo G, Roehrborn C, Barnoiu O, Ingelalmare A, Villari D, Breda A, et al. Evaluating the risk for urinary tract infection in patients performing clean intermittent catheterization: a randomized controlled trial comparing two different cleaning protocols. J Urol. 2022;208(3):639-46.