Definition
A bladder catheter is a plastic tube that lies in the bladder and through which urine can be drained. It can be introduced into the bladder either through the urethra (transurethral) or through the abdominal wall (suprapubic). Such a bladder catheter can serve both therapeutic (e.g. in the case of acute urinary retention) and diagnostic purposes.
Catheter setup
A bladder catheter consists of a plastic tube, which nowadays is made of PVC, latex, polyurethane or silicone. Through this tube, the urine is drained from the bladder and collected in a container. Depending on the intended use, the catheters also differ in the shape of the catheter tip, which gives the catheters different names, such as “Foley” or “Nelaton”, the catheter size, the length measured in centimetres, the thickness in “Charrière”, and the addition of other integrated tubes (2-way or 3-way catheters), either for fixing in the bladder or for flushing it.
Disposable catheter
These transurethral catheters are not designed to remain in the bladder for longer, are therefore not blockable and usually consist of only one tube. Disposable catheters are the method of choice for emptying the bladder in cases of voiding disorders of a muscular or neurogenic nature. Disposable catheters for diagnostic purposes are not suitable for use several times a day due to possible small injuries to the urethra.
They are used for urine collection for laboratory tests or for a one-time bladder emptying in case of acute urinary retention. Disposable catheters for “Intermittent Sterile Disposable Catheterisation” (ISEK), on the other hand, are constructed with a very smooth surface with particularly gliding coatings so that they cause as little injury to the urethra as possible, which is why they can be inserted into the bladder several times a day for emptying. They are mainly used for neurogenic bladder voiding disorders, whereby patients can learn how to use them themselves.
Sterile gloves are not necessary for this, as the sterile catheter can be inserted directly from the packaging into the urethra with the aid of a lubricant. However, the hands and the urethral entrance should be carefully disinfected beforehand. The catheter is then advanced in the urethra until urine is drained.
In the meantime, there are also special systems with an integrated collection bag, so that patients are more mobile. However, the prerequisites for this variant are that the patient is prepared to catheterise 4-6 times a day, that there are no urethral constrictions and that the bladder can still hold a volume of at least 400 ml. In order to avoid infections, care should be taken to ensure careful disinfection, a sufficient drinking volume (at least 1.5 l) and possibly acidification of the urine with cranberry or cranberry juice. There are also special disposable catheters for various urological examinations, such as for measuring bladder pressure or for installing certain fluids, such as a chemotherapeutic agent for bladder cancer.
