What is the benefit of having a silicone Foley catheter versus a latex Foley catheter?

The advantage is the silicone material. Silicone is biocompatible. It is non-reactive to human tissue. Silicone is inorganic which is man-made, inert, and contains no extractable chemicals or proteins. Latex is an organic material that also contains numerous extractable chemicals and proteins which act as a good source for bacterial growth. Silicone is non-adherent. It repels urine, water, blood, and most organic materials to reduce the incidence of bacterial attachment and growth. Silicone is non-porous so it does not absorb body fluids. It eliminates "Foley Catheter Expansion" whereas latex is porous (acts like a sponge). Silicone is also 100% latex-free.