Urinary catheterization
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In urinary catheterization, a urinary catheter, (such as a Foley catheter) is a slender plastic tube which is inserted through a patient's urinary tract into their bladder. A balloon located at the end of the catheter is then usually inflated with saline solution to prevent the catheter from slipping out. In males, this tube is inserted into the urinary tract through the penis. Urine passes through the tube, and into a plastic bag. In males, a condom catheter, which fits on the outside of the penis using adhesive, can also be used.
Common indications to catheterize a patient include urinary retention (acute or chronic) and any indication to accurately measure urinary output (for example, in cardiac patients undergoing diuretic treatment).
Patients undergoing major surgery are often catheterized, and may remain so for some time after the surgery. In some situations, incontinent patients are catheterized to reduce their cost of care, but this is not recommended because chronic catherization carries a significant risk of a urinary tract infection.
For many patients the insertion and removal of a catheter can cause severe pain, so a topical anesthetic can be used. Catherization should be performed as a sterile medical procedure and should only be done by trained, qualified personnel, using equipment designed for this purpose.
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URINARY CATHETERS
Urinary catheters may be used to drain the bladder. This is often a last resort because of the possible complications associated with continuous catheter usage. Complications of catheter use may include: urinary tract or kidney infections, blood infections (septicemia), urethral injury, skin breakdown, bladder stones, and blood in the urine (hematuria). After many years of catheter use, bladder cancer may also develop.
Your health care provider may recommend use of a catheter for short term use or long term use (indwelling). The catheter may be left in place during this time, or you may be instructed on a procedure for placing a catheter just long enough to empty the bladder and then remove it (clean intermittent self-catheterization).
Catheters come in a large variety of sizes, materials (latex, silicone, Teflon) and types (Foley catheter, straight catheter, coude tip catheter). It is recommended that you use the smallest size of catheter, if possible. Some people may require larger catheters to control leakage of urine around the catheter or if the urine is thick and bloody or contains large amounts of sediment. Be aware that larger catheters are more likely to cause damage to the urethra. Some people have developed allergies or sensitivity to latex after long-term latex catheter use. These people should use the silicone or Teflon catheters.
LONG TERM (INDWELLING) URETHRAL CATHETERS
A catheter that is left in place for a period of time may be attached to a drainage bag to collect the urine. There are 2 types of drainage bags. One type is a leg bag, which is a smaller drainage device that attaches by elastic bands to the leg. A leg bag is usually worn during the day since it fits discreetly under pants or skirts, and is easily emptied into the toilet. The other type of drainage bag is a larger drainage device (down drain) that may be used during the night. This device is usually hung on the bed or placed on the floor.