A Foley catheter is a flexible tube inserted into the bladder to allow for continuous urine drainage. A small, inflatable retention balloon is located near the tip of the catheter, and its function is to anchor the device securely within the bladder, preventing accidental dislodgement. Before the catheter can be safely removed, this balloon must be completely deflated to its original, collapsed state to prevent serious injury to the urethra. Deflation involves aspirating the sterile water used to inflate the balloon via a separate valve.
Handling or removing an indwelling urinary catheter carries a significant risk of infection or tissue trauma. This procedure should ideally be performed by a trained healthcare professional, such as a nurse or doctor, or strictly under their direct guidance and instruction. Never attempt to remove a Foley catheter without ensuring the retention balloon is fully deflated, as this can cause severe injury to the urethral lining.
Preparation and Necessary Supplies
Deflation requires a specific set of sterile supplies to maintain hygiene. The most important tool is a sterile syringe, often a Luer-lock or slip-tip type, typically with a capacity of 10 milliliters (mL) or greater. This size ensures the entire volume of fluid used to inflate the balloon can be fully withdrawn in one attempt.
Rigorous hand hygiene must be performed before gathering the tools. Clean, non-sterile gloves should be worn to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens to the catheter system. The patient should be positioned comfortably, typically lying on their back, to allow clear access to the catheter’s inflation port.
A waste receptacle, such as a small basin or cup, should be kept nearby to safely contain the withdrawn fluid. Confirming the required deflation volume is also a preparatory step. This number is printed on the catheter’s sidearm, usually indicating 5 or 10 cubic centimeters (cc).
Step-by-Step Balloon Deflation Procedure
The deflation process begins by locating the inflation port. This is the small, separate valve situated at the end of the catheter tubing, distinct from the main drainage lumen. This port usually has a colored cap. Before attaching the syringe, slightly pull back the plunger from the barrel’s base to prevent a vacuum effect and allow for passive deflation.
Gently insert the tip of the sterile syringe firmly into the inflation port, often using a slight twisting motion to secure the connection. The pressure of the sterile water inside the retention balloon should naturally force the plunger backward, pushing the fluid out of the balloon and into the syringe. This passive deflation technique is the preferred method, as active aspiration can collapse the catheter’s internal inflation channel.
It is crucial to allow the fluid to drain slowly and completely without manual aspiration unless passive deflation fails. Because the channel leading to the balloon is small, this process may take up to 30 seconds to fully complete. Once the fluid stops flowing, check the volume in the syringe against the volume marked on the catheter sidearm to ensure full withdrawal.
If the retrieved volume matches the indicated volume (e.g., 10 mL for a 10 mL balloon), the syringe can be gently disconnected, and the catheter is now ready for removal. Before attempting to pull the catheter, apply a very gentle tug to confirm the balloon has fully collapsed. Any sensation of resistance indicates that deflation is incomplete, and the catheter must not be pulled.
Addressing Deflation Complications
If the fluid does not easily return to the syringe, indicating a potential issue with the deflation mechanism, gently re-seat the syringe to ensure a firm, straight connection to the inflation valve. If flow remains sluggish, gently repositioning the patient may help. The balloon can sometimes become temporarily lodged against the bladder wall, partially blocking the flow channel.
If simple measures fail, attempt a very slow and gentle aspiration by pulling back on the syringe plunger to initiate flow. Avoid forceful aspiration, as this can cause the internal inflation lumen to collapse or misshape the balloon material, which complicates subsequent removal. The fluid used is sterile water; using other solutions like saline can cause crystallization and blockages over time.
If only a partial volume of fluid is withdrawn, or if no fluid is retrieved after several attempts, no further steps should be taken by an untrained individual. The catheter should not be cut, and it must never be forcefully pulled from the patient. If the balloon fails to deflate completely, immediate contact with a healthcare professional is mandatory to prevent severe urethral trauma.