A transurethral catheter is a flexible, hollow tube inserted by healthcare professionals through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine. Once inside, it allows urine to flow into a collection bag. This system helps manage medical situations where natural urination is not possible or requires close monitoring.
Medical Reasons for a Transurethral Catheter
Transurethral catheters are employed for several medical conditions that impair the body’s ability to empty the bladder. One primary reason is urinary retention, a condition where an individual cannot fully or partially empty their bladder, leading to urine buildup that can cause kidney damage. This can occur due to blockages in the urethra, such as from an enlarged prostate or scarring, or from nerve damage affecting bladder function.
Catheters also monitor urine output in patients, providing precise measurements of kidney function and hydration status. They facilitate bladder drainage before, during, or after surgical procedures, including those involving the prostate, gynecological organs, or bowels. This ensures the bladder remains empty, preventing complications and aiding recovery. A transurethral catheter can also manage severe urinary incontinence when other treatments have not been effective.
The Insertion and Removal Procedure
The insertion of a transurethral catheter involves steps to ensure patient comfort and prevent infection. First, the patient is positioned, and the area around the urethra is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A sterile lubricant, often containing a local anesthetic, is applied to the catheter tip to minimize discomfort as it passes through the urethra.
The healthcare provider then gently guides the catheter into the urethra and advances it until it reaches the bladder and urine begins to flow into the drainage bag. For indwelling catheters, a small balloon at the tip is inflated with sterile water once inside the bladder, which anchors the catheter in place. Catheter removal is a simpler process; the balloon is deflated by withdrawing the sterile water, allowing the tube to be gently slid out of the urethra.
Daily Care and Potential Complications
Proper daily care of a transurethral catheter is important to prevent complications, particularly infections. Hand hygiene is essential, requiring washing with soap and water before and after touching the catheter or drainage system. The skin around the catheter insertion site should be cleaned at least twice daily with mild soap and water, washing the tube in a downward motion away from the body.
The urine drainage bag must always be kept below the level of the bladder to ensure continuous flow and prevent urine from flowing back into the bladder, which can cause infection. The bag should be emptied regularly, every 8 hours or when it is half full, without allowing the drainage spout to touch other surfaces. Maintaining adequate fluid intake, aiming for clear or pale yellow urine, helps flush the urinary system and reduces the risk of infection.
Patients with transurethral catheters should be aware of potential complications and their signs. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common risk, indicated by symptoms such as fever, chills, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or discomfort in the back or lower abdomen. Other issues include blockages in the tubing, which can prevent urine flow, or bladder spasms causing pain. Any signs of complications, like blood in the urine or a lack of urine output for several hours, warrant immediate contact with a healthcare provider.