home Endocrinology Female urinary catheter. What is the kidney catheterization procedure and what are its goals? What does a urine catheter look like?

Female urinary catheter. What is the kidney catheterization procedure and what are its goals? What does a urine catheter look like?

Catheterization in women. Catheterization is the insertion of a catheter into the bladder. For this purpose, you can use reusable catheters (made of rubber and metal) and single-use catheters (made of polymer materials), having different lumen diameters. Metal catheters are inserted only by a doctor.
Target. Emptying the bladder; administration of drugs into the bladder.
Indications for bladder catheterization in women. Acute and chronic urinary retention; obtaining urine for examination as specifically prescribed by a doctor; local treatment of bladder diseases.
Contraindications. Bladder injuries; acute inflammation of the bladder or urethra.
Equipment. Sterile soft catheter - 2 pcs. different diameters, cotton balls - 2 pcs., gauze napkins - 2 pcs., glycerin, Janet syringe, tray, diaper; container for urine (if urine is taken for testing for sterility, then the collection container is obtained from a bacteriological laboratory (sterile)); furatsilin solution 1:5 000 - 700 - I 500 ml; 0.5% alcohol solution of chlorhexidine; rubber gloves (sterile); washing kit; water bath for heating furatsilin; container marked “For catheters” with a 3% chloramine solution.

Bladder catheterization in women, implementation algorithm.

1. Treat your hands with a 0.5% chlorhexidine solution and prepare a sterile tray. Sterile catheters are taken out of the container and placed on the tray.
The rounded end of the catheter is poured with sterile glycerin. Two sterile cotton balls are moistened with furatsilin solution and placed on a tray. Also put two sterile napkins and tweezers on the tray. 100 - 150 ml of furatsilin solution heated in a water bath to 37 - 38 ° C are taken into a Janet syringe and placed on a tray.
2. They wash the patient and remove the bedpan.
3. A clean, dry vessel or other container for urine is placed between the patient’s legs apart and bent at the knees.
4. Put on gloves.
5. Standing to the right of the patient, place an unrolled sterile gauze pad on her pubis. Using the fingers of the left hand, the labia are parted and a cotton ball, taken with tweezers and moistened with furatsilin in the right hand, is used to treat the external opening of the urethra. Then, using tweezers, taking it like a writing pen, take the catheter at a distance of 4 - 5 cm from its blunt end, and support the free end between the IV and V fingers. The blunt end of the catheter is slowly inserted into the urethra to a depth of 4-5 cm using rotational movements, and the free end is lowered into a container for urine. Urine output indicates that the catheter is in the bladder.
6. After the cessation of urine output, the catheter is connected to a Janet syringe filled with furatsilin, heated in a water bath to +38 “C.
7. Slowly inject the solution into the bladder, and then, by directing the catheter into the vessel, remove it from the bladder.
8. Repeat washing until the washing liquid is clean.
9. Having finished washing, carefully remove the catheter from the urethra using rotational movements.
10. Once again treat the external opening of the urethra with a ball moistened with a solution of furatsilin, and remove any remaining moisture from the perineum with a napkin.
11. Immediately after use, the catheter is soaked in a 3% chloramine solution for 1 hour, then treated according to OST 42-21-2-85.

Notes. The nurse has the right to perform catheterization only with a soft catheter and only as prescribed by a doctor. When carrying out catheterization of the bladder, complications are possible: infection in the bladder; damage to the mucous membrane of the urethra and bladder; urethral fever.

In the practice of a urologist, quite often one has to deal with such a device as a urine catheter. It is a rubber tube or a system consisting of several tubes, necessary for insertion into the lumen of the bladder if the patient does not urinate for one reason or another or for other diagnostic purposes.

Most often, catheterization is required for men who have diseases such as prostate adenoma or its malignant degeneration (prostate cancer). Against this background, there is a violation of the patency of the urethra, which leads to urinary retention.

What is bladder catheterization?

The main goal of catheterization is to restore the normal outflow of urine from the lumen of the bladder, which normalizes all urodynamic processes and prevents a number of dangerous complications for the patient’s life.

The catheter is inserted into the external opening of the urethra, after which it gradually moves along the urethra and reaches the lumen of the bladder. The appearance of urine in the catheter is evidence that the procedure was performed correctly and successfully.

Catheterization should only be performed by a medically trained specialist (doctor or emergency medical technician).

Although the catheterization technique is quite simple to perform, it requires some skill to perform it correctly.

When performing bladder catheterization, it is important to observe a number of the following basic conditions:

insertion of a catheter into the urinary canal (urethra) should be done carefully, without the use of rudeness or violence;
the procedure begins with the use of elastic devices (Timann or Mercier type catheter);
in order to minimize possible damage to the walls of the urethra, it is necessary to use a large-diameter catheter;
a metal catheter is inserted into the patient only if the doctor performing the manipulation is fluent in this skill;
if any pain occurs during catheterization, it must be stopped and the patient must be immediately hospitalized in a hospital;
if the patient has acute urinary retention, but inserting a catheter into the bladder is impossible (there are contraindications), then percutaneous cystostomy is used.

Types of catheters and their classification

Previously, only metal (rigid) catheters were used for catheterization, which led to frequent complications (trauma to the mucous membranes, ruptures, etc.). Currently, silicone (soft) and rubber (elastic) devices of different diameters have become widespread.

There are catheters for men (their length is approximately 30 cm) and for women (their length is 15-17 cm).

The following types of devices are used:

Nelaton catheter(used for catheterization for a short period of time, for the purpose of one-time drainage);
Foley catheter (inserted for a long period of time, has several passages through which medications are simultaneously administered and urine is removed);
Tieman stent (a device used by urologists for prostate diseases, it adapts well to the bends of the urethra).

The catheter is selected depending on the purpose of its use

Technique of the procedure

In order to carry out the catheterization procedure, in accordance with all the rules of asepsis and antisepsis, it is necessary to carry it out in a specialized hospital, using modern antiseptics, sterile devices, medical disposable gloves, etc.

Bladder catheterization in a woman

The manipulation algorithm is as follows:

The woman is placed on her back and asked to bend her knees and spread them apart.
The female genital organs are thoroughly cleaned using antiseptic solutions, after which the vaginal opening is covered with sterile napkins.
With the right hand, a well-lubricated catheter for urine is inserted until urine appears (approximately 4-5 cm).
If urine suddenly stops flowing, this may indicate that the device has hit the wall of the bladder, so you need to pull the catheter back a little.
After the manipulation is completed and the urine has completely drained, it is necessary to carefully remove the catheter and treat the lumen of the urethra again with an antiseptic solution.
The patient is required to remain in a horizontal position for an hour.

The procedure is carried out only by qualified specialists

During pregnancy, situations arise when a woman requires catheterization, for example, when a calculus is advancing and it blocks the lumen of the urinary tract, which leads to acute urinary retention, as well as before an upcoming cesarean section.

The condition requires immediate hospitalization and observation of the woman only in a specialized hospital.

In men, catheterization is complicated by the anatomical structure of the urethra, namely its small diameter, significant length, tortuosity and the presence of physiological narrowings.

The procedure algorithm is as follows:

The man is placed on his back (there is no need to bend his legs at the knees).
The penis and groin area are covered with sterile napkins around the entire perimeter.
With his left hand, the doctor pulls back the foreskin, exposing the lumen of the urethra, and at the same time extends the penis perpendicular to the surface of the patient’s torso. The head of the penis and other male genital organs are carefully treated with antiseptic solutions.
A pre-lubricated catheter is inserted with the right hand, all movements should be smooth and uniform, and the doctor should apply only a slight force in places of anatomical narrowing (the patient is asked to relax as much as possible).
Periodic palpation of the tip of the catheter is recommended, especially if there are obstacles in its path, until urine flows through it (evidence that it has reached the lumen of the bladder).
When the procedure is completed, the catheter is removed, and the lumen of the urethra is re-treated with an antiseptic solution. The patient is required to remain in a horizontal position for an hour.

Abducting the penis perpendicular to the male body allows you to maximally straighten the anterior urethra

Bladder catheterization in a child

In general, the technique of catheterization in children does not differ significantly from the procedure performed in adults. It is carried out with the aim of restoring normal urine flow and eliminating all signs of acute urine retention.

Inserting a catheter into a child requires special care and precision, since there is a high risk of damage to the mucous membranes, up to complete rupture of the wall of the urethra or bladder. That is why a smaller diameter device is used for catheterization of children, and if such a possibility exists, the procedure is carried out under ultrasound or x-ray control.

Indications and contraindications for performing the procedure

Main indications for bladder catheterization:

development of acute urinary retention in various pathological conditions;
chronic retention of urine in the lumen of the bladder;
the patient's state of shock, in which there is no possibility of spontaneous passage of urine;
the need to determine the exact volume of daily urine in patients in the intensive care unit or intensive care unit;
determining the volume of urine that remains in the patient after urination;
administration of contrast agents (required for cystourethrographic examination);
washing the lumen of the bladder with solutions of antiseptics or antibiotics;
to remove blood clots from the bladder;
carrying out a number of diagnostic procedures (for example, taking a urine test for further culture on nutrient media, when passing it naturally is impossible or difficult).

The most common cause of urinary retention in men is prostate adenoma.

The following pathological processes may be contraindications for catheterization in men and women:

inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland (acute prostatitis or exacerbation of its chronic form);
inflammatory process in the testicles or their appendages;
abscesses of the prostate or other space-occupying formations in it, leading to a sharp narrowing of the lumen of the urethra, when insertion of a catheter is impossible;
infection of the urethra (acute urethritis or exacerbation of a chronic process, when the edematous component is pronounced);
traumatic injury to the urethra or its sharp deformation due to strictures (insertion of a catheter can lead to rupture of the urethral wall);
pronounced spasm of the external sphincter of the bladder (for example, against the background of impaired innervation due to damage to the lumbar spine);
contracture of the cervical part of the bladder.

Complications after manipulation

As a rule, if catheterization is performed by an experienced specialist, and the patient does not have any pathological processes that impede the advancement of the catheter through the urethra, then complications are quite rare.

The most common adverse outcomes from the procedure are:

damage to the walls of the urethra or bladder, which leads to blood in the urine (hematuria);
accidental rupture of the wall of the urethra or perforation of the bladder (this occurs when the catheter is roughly inserted);
infection of the urethra or bladder (cystitis or urethritis develops);
a sharp decrease in blood pressure numbers (hypotension due to manipulation).

The male urethra has several anatomical curves, so rough and incorrect manipulation can cause a number of complications

Replacing or removing the catheter

If bladder catheterization is performed for a long period of time, it often becomes necessary to replace the device. This occurs in the following situations:

initially incorrectly selected catheter size, as a result of which gradual “leakage” of urine is observed;
blockage of the device lumen;
the appearance of severe spasms in the patient or other unpleasant sensations requiring temporary removal of the catheter.

Removal of the device, as well as its insertion, should only be done by a specialist with a medical education in order to prevent any complications. The doctor disconnects the urine reservoir from the main tube. Using a large syringe attached to the outer opening of the tube, the residual volume of urine is removed, then the catheter is completely removed. All movements must be smooth and careful, and any “jerks” must be avoided.

After removing the catheter, you need to leave the patient in a horizontal position for 20-30 minutes. At the same time, it is important to ask him about any discomfort, pain, etc.

If after catheterization the patient experiences bloating, blood from the urethra or other pathological symptoms, then it is necessary to find out their cause

Conclusion

Bladder catheterization is a manipulation that requires the intervention of only a specialist with a medical education.

Each patient who has a catheter requires constant monitoring. If any unpleasant symptoms appear, a diagnosis of this condition is necessary, and the issue of its removal can only be decided by a doctor.

In this article we will look at how to place a urinary catheter in a woman.

People very often have to get acquainted with a wide arsenal of all kinds of medical instruments. And one of them is a urinary catheter for women and men. What is it and why is it used at all?

Main purpose

Why is a urinary catheter required for women and men? In urology, catheters of various shapes and sizes are used to perform certain activities. The device is selected individually for each patient. At the outlet, such a probe is usually connected to a drainage bag, that is, directly to a collector designed to collect urine.

The bag is fixed on the patient's leg so that he can move freely and the collector can be used throughout the day. At night, larger containers are used that are hung from the bed.

Indications for the procedure are:

The need to obtain bladder urine for analysis.
The presence of inflammatory diseases of the bladder in women.
The appearance of acute or chronic urinary retention.

Description

A catheter is a tube designed to create a kind of passage between the internal cavities of the body and the external environment. An instrument is used to inject medicinal solutions, and, in addition, to rinse the organ and perform surgical procedures.

A urinary catheter is required for women and men to achieve forced emptying of the organ. For example, catheterization may be required immediately after childbirth, when the woman in labor is unable to urinate on her own for the first time. Sometimes the procedure is performed due to damage to the bladder. For example, due to injury, the lumen often closes, and urine is not naturally excreted from the human body. In a number of situations, the use of female urological catheters is required during the examination to make a diagnosis. It is often necessary:

Determination of the volume of urine present in the bladder.
Obtaining a sterile portion of urine for analysis.
Performing X-rays of the urethra and bladder by injecting a contrast component into the organs.

Types of catheters

There are many types of urinary catheters today. The type of medical instrument chosen directly depends on the specific case, for example:

A device called a Foley catheter is used for long-term catheterization (when patients are in a coma). It is also suitable for short-term manipulation. It is used for washing, eliminating blood clots, draining urine, and so on.
The Nelaton Catheter is designed for periodic catheterization in situations where the patient cannot independently urinate. Until the invention of the Foley catheter, this device was intended for continuous use.
A device called a Pezzer Catheter is well suited for maintaining continuous catheterization and drainage of urine through a cystostomy. This tool, unfortunately, has quite a lot of shortcomings; therefore, they work with it only in the absence of other possibilities.

Which ones are used more often?

Urinary catheters are currently predominantly flexible. Metal models are used extremely rarely. The fact is that they are less comfortable for the patient and are not very convenient to use. Catheters must be fixed after insertion; the doctor chooses the method for this and is guided by the characteristics of a particular situation.

Difference between female and male models

The difference between a female and a male urological catheter is determined by the anatomical features of the body. Although the purpose of the devices can be said to be the same, they still differ in structure:

Male models are intended for insertion into narrow and curved urethra, which is why the tube is made thin and long.
Urinary catheters for women are made with a short, wide and straight urethra in mind, so such an instrument is endowed with the appropriate characteristics, that is, a relatively large diameter, short length and the complete absence of any bends.

Today, urological catheters are available in most medical stores. Usually in the description of each such product it is indicated for which gender of the patient this or that instrument is intended. The approximate cost of the product ranges from nine to two and a half thousand rubles. The price largely depends on the type of catheter, and at the same time on the place of purchase and the material of manufacture.

How is a urinary catheter placed in a woman?

Installation Features

This procedure itself is not at all difficult, since the female body is very convenient for inserting a tube. For example, in a man, in order to be able to get to the bladder, you will need to overcome the genital organ. But in women, the urethra is located directly behind the labia.

Let’s take a closer look at how a catheter is placed in a woman’s bladder.

Before the catheterization procedure, the patient must take a shower, wash thoroughly and come to the room for manipulation. If the procedure is carried out to collect urine, then at first the doctor or nurse may try to do without inserting an instrument into the urethra. For this:

The patient needs to lie down on a couch on which a diaper or oilcloth has been previously spread.
Next, the bent legs must be spread apart so that a bedpan can be placed between them in order to accumulate urine.
A warm heating pad is placed on the patient's lower abdomen. This helps stimulate reflex urination. For similar purposes, the genitals can be watered with slightly heated water.

Stages of catheterization

How to insert a urinary catheter into a woman, what are the stages of the procedure? In cases where urination cannot be provoked, doctors proceed to the catheterization procedure. It includes the following main steps:

Carrying out disinfection of the urethra.
Carefully insert the catheter into the urethra at a distance of five to seven centimeters. In this case, the doctor will need to keep the patient’s labia apart.
Collecting urine, which flows through the tube into a container prepared for this purpose.
Then, if necessary, perform the following procedure (that is, wash the bladder, administer medications, etc.).

Every specialist with the appropriate qualifications knows how to place a catheter in a woman’s bladder.

What are the inconveniences?

Despite the fact that catheterization is much less unpleasant for women than for men, this kind of manipulation is still quite stressful. Many patients do not experience any particular pain or any other physical discomfort, but they absolutely always have to experience obvious psychological inconvenience. A good doctor manages to create a trusting and at the same time calm atmosphere in which women feel relaxed. It is very important that the patient is not afraid or embarrassed, then the procedure will be very easy, painless and fairly quick.

In simple situations, catheterization can be performed by a nurse, for example when a diagnosis needs to be confirmed. In the event that the manipulation is performed for medicinal purposes, then only a qualified doctor should work. It is important to do catheterization very carefully, since a sharp or too fast movement can damage the urethra, causing an inflammatory process (such as cystitis or urethritis).

The female urinary catheter is one of the medical achievements whose importance is very great and cannot be overestimated. Thanks to this simple device, diseases of the urinary system simply cease to be difficult for people: they are easier to recognize and treat. It would be superfluous to recall patients suffering from severe brain or back injuries, when the use of a catheter is one of the main conditions for providing comprehensive care for the patient. How to insert a catheter into a woman’s bladder is now clear.

For what pathologies is catheterization necessary?

So, catheterization of an organ such as the bladder in women is a procedure necessary in a number of cases with the development of pathologies of this organ. The procedure itself involves inserting a catheter in the form of a flexible latex tube, which can also be made of silicone or Teflon. Such a tube can pass through the urethra directly to the bladder.

Often, the need for the described event in women arises in the postoperative periods against the background of gynecological or diseases. Catheterization is done to control the volume of urine produced. In addition, it can promote the healing of postoperative wounds.

In some situations, the procedure is required for patients to rinse in case of bleeding, administration of medications, detection of general obstruction, urine output due to neurological pathologies (paralysis), incontinence or retention in a number of certain diseases.

For cancer

Bladder cancer, which is often diagnosed in women, often requires the insertion of a catheter. Typically, this disease can develop against the background of papillomas. In this case, as a rule, patients have an excessive amount of blood in their urine, which is very easily detected even with the naked eye.

Cancer is often diagnosed in smokers and those who work with aniline dyes. Often, such a pathology develops against the background of chronic inflammation of this organ, after irradiation, and in those who often do not urinate on demand. Various sweeteners and a number of medications also have an effect.

We looked at how to place a urinary catheter in a woman. This procedure is very useful, necessary for carrying out in the presence of pathologies of the bladder.

Excluding the area of professional interest, people with serious health problems in the genitourinary area encounter a urethral catheter.

A urethral catheter is a system of tubes placed in the body and one end coming out; its purpose is to drain and remove urine (empty the bladder) if the body for some reason cannot cope with this physiological need on its own.

The medical term "catheterization" refers to the insertion of a catheter into a hollow organ, respectively, a urethral catheter is inserted through the urethra into the bladder.

Today, the market offers a large assortment of these medical instruments, both imported and domestic, of various sizes.

Urethral catheters, intended for the removal of urine, are distinguished by the composition of the material:

hard (metal; they look like a curved tube, its inner end has a smooth curve, it is also equipped with a handle, a rod and a beak);
semi-rigid (also called elastic catheters);
soft (they are made of polymers (Teflon, silicone, latex and other materials), less often - of rubber, the length of this type of catheter is 25-30 cm).

Urethral catheters vary in terms of use:

short-term (periodic);
long-term (permanent).

They also differ in type:

Nelaton (Robinson) - a straight tube with a blind end, used for short-term catheterization.
Timmana is a straight tube with a blind end in the form of a curved beak.
Foley is a straight tube equipped with a 5-70 ml cartridge.
Pezzera is a curved rubber tube with an extension and two holes at the end.

The length of the urinary catheter intended for women is from 12 cm. The length of the instrument intended for men is 30 cm.

The difference in the length of catheters is due to the physiological characteristics of the female and male urinary tract.

Indications

Catheters are placed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The goal is to detect the presence of urine in the bladder if this cannot be done by other means or if a sterile portion of urine is required. A urethral catheter is also inserted if a study with a contrast agent is to be administered.

Therapeutic catheterization is used for diseases such as prostate adenoma, oncology (prostate cancer). Because with these diseases there is urinary retention (acute or chronic).

Foley catheter

The instrument is also placed in the postoperative period, when surgery on the urinary organs was performed. If urinary tract diseases are being treated, this may also be a reason for installing this type of catheter.

In modern urology, therapeutic catheterization is used if urine is not excreted from the body naturally.

How is a urethral catheter installed?

The procedure for installing a catheter is accompanied by discomfort and pain.

Everyone’s pain threshold is individual, so patients give different assessments of this manipulation.

In the postoperative period, after surgery on the urinary organs, the painful sensation is more severe.

It is important to understand that bladder catheterization is one of the stages of treatment, a step towards recovery or maintaining quality of life.

Installation of a urinary catheter in men is considered a more complex manipulation than a similar procedure in women, since the length of the male urethra is 20-25 cm and there are narrowings in it (this is a male physiological feature). A male urethral catheter is used for the procedure.

Sterility is one of the most important conditions for installing a urinary catheter, otherwise there is a high risk of sepsis. The instrument is pre-treated with an antiseptic and sterile lubricant, which facilitates its insertion. Painkillers are also used - for example, lidochlor gel and others.

The genitals and the exact place where the hollow tube will be installed must be treated and disinfected.

Catheter installation for men

The patient lies on his back with his knees slightly bent; it is advisable to be in a relaxed state, this will facilitate the insertion of the hollow tube.

The doctor performs the manipulation by slowly and smoothly inserting the catheter into the urethra.

An indicator of correct installation is the appearance of urine in the catheter, which means that fluid will flow out.

If the tube is difficult to advance, it is possible that the doctor will select a catheter of a smaller diameter. But in the vast majority of cases, replacement is not required, since its size corresponds to the urethra. Do not be alarmed by the appearance of a small amount of blood; this happens quite often during this medical procedure.

The final stage of installation - the catheter is washed with sterile water; if it is correctly installed in the bladder, then it quickly returns.

Upon completion of the manipulation, the urinal is attached to the patient’s thigh or at the bedside (the second option is more often used for urine drainage in bedridden patients).

When performing surgical interventions, as well as when it is necessary to administer medications directly into the bladder, a catheterization procedure is used. It is carried out easily and painlessly, since the urethra in women is short. Read more about the procedure on our website.

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Urethral catheterization for women

The patient lies on her back, legs bent at the knees and spread to the side.

The genitals and the external opening of the urethra are treated with a disinfectant solution.

Using smooth rotational movements, a female urethral catheter, pre-treated with an antiseptic, is inserted into the urethra to a depth of approximately 4-6 centimeters.

The outer end of the catheter is placed in a urine bag; if urine begins to come out, it means that the manipulation was successful and the hollow tube is in the bladder.

After installing the catheter, in order to avoid injury, you should not twist it or try to push it deeper inside.

Instrument care

When urinary catheterization of a patient, the key point is to ensure a tight connection between the hollow tube and the adapter and urinal; this is where special clamps come to the rescue.

Due to this, urine leakage is eliminated, and the patient feels more comfortable not only physically, but also mentally.

Another important nuance is the convenient location of the urinal on the human body. It should be below the level of the bladder.

The urinal should not be positioned higher; in this case, urine may flow back and this can lead to infection. Most often, the urinal is attached to the thigh using special elastic straps.

For prophylaxis, antiseptic solutions (for example, chlorhexidine) must be periodically injected into the bladder through the urinary catheter; it does not irritate the mucous membrane, and disinfection is quite effective.

With urethral catheterization, a possible complication is pressure sores of the urethra. To avoid this, you must constantly change the position of the drainage tube in the urethra. This manipulation is painful, but vital.

Nelaton catheter

It is recommended to change the urinary catheter tube at least once a week, as it tends to take the shape of the urethra, which can cause bedsores in the urethral mucosa. To replace it, it is recommended to contact a doctor (this procedure is usually performed by a nurse), but, as practice shows, patients who live with a urethral catheter for a long time learn to carry out this manipulation on their own.

If you manipulate a catheter or urinal, then your hands must first be treated with a disinfectant solution.

Unlike female catheterization, this procedure in men requires more qualified training of medical personnel, since the urethra in men is long and the catheter must be installed with great care. : indications and technique of the procedure.

Read about preparation for an abdominal ultrasound in the topic. Colon cleansing and diet before the study.

Video on the topic

To combat urological diseases, a urinary catheter is used - a system of rubber tubes that is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to control the amount of urine released or diagnose its composition. It is also intended to carry out the act of urination if a person has urinary dysfunction.

General information

Diseases such as cancer of the genitourinary system, prostate adenoma, urinary retention and kidney diseases lead to problems with urine output. One of the methods of their treatment is the introduction of a catheter into the urethra. This is done to drain the bladder and make urination easier. The conductor can be latex or rubber (soft) or plastic or metal (hard). It looks like a straight or curved tube with holes at both ends. At the same time, soft ones have an oblique cut, and hard ones have a handle, beak and rod.

Types and sizes

Types of catheters are distinguished depending on the function they will perform.

Classification is made depending on the material from which the devices are made and the time they remain in the body. The number of channels and organs into which the device is inserted are taken into account. In this case, the length of the tube depends on the physiological characteristics of the body. Women's catheters are usually shorter. The optimal length for women is 12-15 cm, for men - about 30 cm.

Based on the material of manufacture, they are distinguished:

elastic (rubber);
soft (latex or silicone);
hard (plastic or metal).

Depending on the length of stay in the ureter:

permanent (introduced for a long term);
disposable.

Taking into account the organ of administration, they distinguish:

urethral;
ureteral;
instruments for the renal pelvis;
stents for the bladder.

By location there are:

internal (entirely located inside the body);
external (one end goes out).

Depending on the number of channels, there are options:

single-channel;
dual-channel;
three-channel stent.

Most common types

The Nelaton catheter is the best disposable catheter.

Different types of catheters are used to catheterize the bladder. Their choice depends on the function they will perform. The quality of the device is also important, since in some cases it leads to irritation or allergic reactions. Including the above factors, the most common are:

Urethral Foley catheter. It is considered an indwelling urinary catheter. Has a blind end and two holes. At the end there is a rubber reservoir, to which a thin channel is connected. Used to flush the bladder, remove blood clots or urine.
Nelaton catheterization device. Straight, elastic, with rounded ends. Has a smaller diameter than Foley. Not used as a permanent one. Inserted into the urinary canal for drainage.
Thiemann stent. It has one channel for drainage and 2 holes near the tip. Used for prostate diseases.
Pizzeria device. A rubber conductor having 2-3 holes and a cup-shaped tip. Installed as a permanent one for drainage of the kidneys when their main function fails.
Melekote is identical to the Pizzera pattern.
A Poisson stent is a smooth rubber thread with three holes and a spiral ending. It is administered using a metal probe, which must then be removed. Rarely used for the treatment of the genitourinary system.

Each of the examples of catheterization devices has advantages and disadvantages in use. If the insertion of a catheter is intended for a short period of time, the best disposable catheter is Nelaton. The Foley stand is more suitable not only for removing urine, but also for administering medications. If the patient is unable to urinate, the Pizzera option is most suitable.

How do they put it?

To place a catheter in the urethra, you must follow some rules. First, the catheter placement must be sterile. To do this, in order to avoid sepsis, the instrument and genitals are treated with antiseptic disinfectants. Secondly, patients who have undergone the procedure claim that it hurts. To relieve such sensations, use Lidochlor gel or other approved painkillers.

Inserting a urine catheter is much more difficult for men than for women. The problem is that men have narrowing in the urethra and it is longer than women's.

The procedure in men is performed correctly if fluid appears in the catheter.

The technique of inserting a catheter into men is complex. During the procedure, the patient should lie on his back with his knees bent and relax. The doctor treats the genitals and the apparatus with an antiseptic and begins to slowly insert the instrument. In this case, the penis should be in a position perpendicular to the body. A signal that the manipulation is happening correctly is the appearance of liquid in the catheter.

The bladder catheter in men is 20-30 cm long with a narrow diameter. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the body. Therefore, you need to use the appropriate instance. At the end of the procedure, the insertion site of the adapter is disinfected with an antiseptic, and the urinal is attached to the inner side of the thigh. If the patient is lying down - go to the bed.

Catheterization in women

Inserting a urethral catheter for women is simple. In this case, the patient lies on her back, legs spread, knees bent. The labia and instruments are treated with disinfectants. The urethral catheter is inserted 4-6 cm into the urinary canal, lowering the second edge into a special reservoir. It is attached to the thigh with a tight bandage. During manipulation, blood may appear, but this is not dangerous. If the doctor did everything correctly, the bleeding is insignificant and does not recur. A urethral catheter can damage the neck and walls of the bladder.

Both cystostomy and urethral catheters have advantages and disadvantages. When installing the urethral version, the neck and walls of the bladder can be damaged. Suprapubic is less traumatic for humans. Cystostomy is easier to handle, and the likelihood of inflammatory infections is less. Moreover, an incision in the abdomen heals faster and causes less discomfort than a tube in the genitals. Among other things, if the device becomes clogged, urine flows down it, infecting the genitals. And if such a problem occurs in a suprapubic sample, urine is excreted in any case.

The suprapubic catheter has advantages in diameter. It is much wider than in the urethra. But cystostomy also has a number of negative aspects. Firstly, it is blocked more often, since it can only be installed for a long time. Secondly, the side effects of its presence in the body are: urinary retention, spasm or stones. Thirdly, it is difficult for patients who are overweight to place a suprapubic catheter.