An indwelling urinary catheter, often called a Foley catheter, is a flexible tube temporarily placed through the urethra into the bladder to continuously drain urine into an external bag. This device is typically used following surgery, during hospitalization, or when a person cannot empty their bladder naturally. This information will guide you through the mechanical removal procedure and explain the normal, temporary sensations as your bladder function returns.
Preparing for Removal and the Procedure Steps
The process begins with a healthcare professional confirming the physician’s order for removal, ensuring the catheter is no longer medically necessary. Before the procedure starts, the patient is positioned comfortably, typically lying on their back, to allow easy and private access to the catheter insertion site. Gathering the necessary supplies, including a syringe and protective materials, is the first physical step to ensure a swift and sterile withdrawal.
The most important mechanical step is the complete deflation of the retention balloon, which is the small, water-filled sphere at the catheter tip that holds it securely inside the bladder. The healthcare provider will locate the balloon port, which is a small valve separate from the urine drainage channel, and attach a syringe. They then allow the sterile water to passively withdraw back into the syringe, a process that ensures the balloon is fully flattened against the catheter shaft.
The exact volume of water used to inflate the balloon must be withdrawn to prevent injury to the urethra during extraction. Once the balloon is confirmed as empty, the healthcare professional will tell the patient to take a slow, deep breath to help relax the pelvic floor muscles. The catheter is then gently and smoothly pulled out of the urethra in one continuous motion, a process that usually takes only a few seconds. The removed catheter and its drainage bag are then disposed of safely.
Immediate Sensations and First Urination
Immediately upon removal, many people experience a brief, odd tugging sensation as the catheter exits the urethra, though the feeling is rarely described as painful. The urethra, irritated by the constant presence of the foreign tube, is often hypersensitive to the first few streams of urine. This irritation causes temporary dysuria, presenting as a mild burning or stinging sensation during the first urination after removal.
This burning is a common and expected temporary side effect that typically subsides within 24 to 72 hours as the urethral lining begins to heal. The bladder itself may also be irritable from the catheter’s tip, leading to a feeling of urinary urgency and increased frequency. Because the bladder muscle (detrusor) has been passively draining, it needs time to regain its muscle tone and normal capacity.
The goal is to achieve the first successful voiding within six to eight hours of removal. Patients are encouraged to increase their fluid intake, particularly water, to help flush the urinary tract and reduce the concentration of urine, which can lessen the stinging. The volume of the first void may be smaller than usual. It is not uncommon to see a very light pink tinge in the urine, known as mild hematuria, due to the slight irritation of the tract.
Monitoring Post-Removal and Identifying Complications
The period immediately following catheter removal requires monitoring to ensure the bladder is functioning correctly and is not retaining urine. The most serious concern is urinary retention, which is the inability to pass urine naturally within six to eight hours of removal, or experiencing intense lower abdominal discomfort. If no voiding occurs within this timeframe, or if a person feels a full bladder but cannot empty it, they must contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Signs of a developing urinary tract infection (UTI) require prompt attention, as the catheter can introduce bacteria into the bladder. Symptoms of a UTI include:
- A persistent fever or chills.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
- The burning sensation lasting beyond the expected 72-hour window.
Any significant, new pain in the lower back or abdomen should also be reported to a medical professional.
While mild, pink-tinged urine is often normal for the first day, blood in the urine that is bright red, thick, or contains large clots is a sign of a serious issue. Any worsening of symptoms or a general feeling of malaise after removal should be treated as an urgent matter. Seeking timely medical guidance for any concerning symptoms is the safest way to prevent complications from developing further.