URINARY CATHETER

R.A.S HEMAT, MB;BCh, FRCSI, DUL.

Catheter is a tubular, flexible, surgical instrument that is inserted into a cavity of the body to withdraw or introduce fluid.

Features of the perfect short-term catheter

1-Wide lumen for free drainage.

2-Made of non-irritant material.

3-Have a thin wall, not collapsible when suction applied.

4-Self retainable.

Catheter Criteria for long term catheter

1-should have special surface quality.

2-must prevent the build-up of encrustation.

3-should be highly flexible to ensure the patient comfort when in place for prolonged period.

4-should not irritate the urethra.

5-should be sufficiently stable to be introduced easily and without the risk of traumatisation.

6-the balloon should be easily filled and have a large reserve volume.

7-the balloon should fill symmetrically and have good recovery to ensure atraumatic catheter removal.

8-should have a large volume drainage channel to ensure optimum drainage.

9-the valve should allow problem-free fixation of the syringe during filling of the balloon.

Catheter Materials

1-Gum plastic, obsolete.

2-Red rubber.

3-Latex rubber, less irritant, dissolved by liquid paraffin.

4-PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

5-Silicone.

6-Teflon (PTFE).

The goals of CIC are

1-prevention of UTI.

2-preservation of normal renal function.

3-elimination of incontinence.

4-elimination of permanent catheter, diapers or external devices.

Problems of catheters

1-Urinary tract infection.

2-Mechanical problems, such as:

a) blockage of the catheter lumen as a result of encrustation

b) leakage of urine from the bladder bypassing around the catheter. Could be due to encrustation of the catheter or bladder irritation by the catheter balloon, resulting in spasm forcing the urine out.

3. Discomfort, can be due to urethral irritation, urethritis and stricture formation.

October, 2000

Note: The information in this article has been excerpted from the following books: urotext-ebook simplifying urology, Principles of modern urology, by Dr. R.A.S HEMAT. Permission is granted to copy and redistribute this document electronically as long as it is unmodified. This article may not be sold in any medium, including electronic, CD-ROM, or database, or published in print, without the explicit, written permission of Dr. R. A. S. Hemat.

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Dr. R.A.S HEMAT declares no conflicts of interest or financial interests in any product or service mentioned in this article, including grants, employment, stock holdings, gifts, or honoraria.