3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1 Male external catheter (MEC)
A MEC is used for treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) in men. This external catheter is not a true catheter, as it is not inserted into the urethra, body cavity, duct or vessel.
The MEC is a simple sheath that is placed over the penis, in the same way as a condom is used for contraception. Unlike a normal condom, a MEC has a drainage tube that allows urine to pass into a storage bag fastened around the leg. The MEC is a non-invasive device, as it makes no contact with the urethral mucosa. [6,7]
The MEC is also known as a: condom catheter, urisheath, condom drainage system, penile sheath, external catheter, urinary collection device, condom urinal, body worn urinal, and even a slang term, Texas Condom. [8] In these guidelines we consistently use the term male external catheter (or MEC) because it is the most commonly used name for this type of catheter.
3.2 Bacteriuria and urinary tract infection (UTI)
Bacteriuria
The method of urine collection has to be considered when defining bacteriuria. The aim is to determine what to advise in case of a (suspected) UTI. Today, we know that there is no fixed bacterial count that is indicative of significant bacteriuria that can be applied to all kinds of UTIs and in all circumstances. [9]
3.2.1 Asymptomatic bacteriuria
Asymptomatic bacteriuria is diagnosed if two cultures of the same bacterial strain, taken ≥ 24 h apart, show bacteriuria of ≥ 105 CFU/ml uropathogens. [9] Asymptomatic bacteriuria should not be treated with antibiotics.
3.2.2 Symptomatic bacteriuria
Symptomatic UTI is defined as a significant number of microorganisms in the urine that occurs together with symptoms such as dysuria, urgency, frequency, flank pain, costovertebral angle tenderness, suprapubic pain and fever. Further information can be found in the EAU Guidelines on Urological Infections: http://uroweb.org/guideline/urological-infections/