BACKGROUND: People requiring long-term bladder draining commonly experience catheter-associated urinary tract infection and other problems. OBJECTIVES: To determine if certain catheter policies are better than others in terms of effectiveness, complications, quality of life and cost-effectiveness in long-term catheterised adults and children. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Trials Register (searched 28 September 2011). Additionally, we examined all reference lists of identified trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing catheter policies (route of insertion and use of antibiotics) for long-term (more than 14 days) catheterisation in adults and children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by two reviewers independently and compared. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. Data were processed as described in the Cochrane Handbook. If the data in trials had not been fully reported, clarification was sought from the authors. When necessary, the incidence-density rates (IDR) and/or the incidence-density differences (IDD) within a certain time period were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: Eight trials met the inclusion criteria involving 504 patients in four cross-over and four parallel-group randomised controlled trials. Only two of the pre-stated six comparisons were addressed in these trials. Four trials compared antibiotic prophylaxis with antibiotics when clinically indicated. For patients using intermittent catheterisation, there were inconsistent findings about the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). Only one study found a significant difference in the frequency of UTI favouring prophylaxis. For patients using indwelling urethral catheterisation, one small trial reported fewer episodes of symptomatic UTI in the prophylaxis group.Four trials compared antibiotic prophylaxis with giving antibiotics when microbiologically indicated. For patients using intermittent catheterisation, there was limited evidence that receiving antibiotics reduced the rate of bacteriuria (asymptomatic and symptomatic). There was weak evidence that prophylactic antibiotics were better in terms of fewer symptomatic bacteriuria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: No eligible trials were identified that compared alternative routes of catheter insertion. The data from eight trials comparing different antibiotic policies were sparse, particularly when intermittent catheterisation was considered separately from indwelling catheterisation. Possible benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis must be balanced against possible adverse effects, such as development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. These cannot be reliably estimated from currently available trials.