Indwelling Catheters

What is an Indwelling Catheter?

Indwelling Catheters – Short-term or Long-term use

You might need to have an indwelling catheter temporarily, after an operation, for example. However, generally an indwelling catheter generally stays in place for long periods of time. Sometimes people with significant bladder problems opt for an indwelling catheter after discussion with their healthcare professional agreeing that it is the best way to manage the problem, in which case you may have an indwelling catheter for a longer period of time or the rest of your life.

Short-term:手术后或因梗阻而无法排尿时，通常要插入这些异物。它们也可以用来引入治疗药物或记录膀胱压力。

Long-term:这些只是最后的手段。它们被用来管理顽固性尿失禁，慢性衰弱疾病限制了使用厕所或马桶的能力，在某些情况下，有神经疾病或脊髓损伤或你不适合进行手术。长期的导尿管可以是尿道或耻骨上(经腹部插入膀胱)。

How Is An Indwelling Catheter Inserted? Will I Need An Operation?

Your healthcare professional will insert a urethral catheter for you, without the need for an operation.

It is inserted into your bladder through your urethra which is a little opening above the vagina in women and through the penis in men. It is not usually a painful procedure but can be a little uncomfortable – a local anaesthetic gel is generally used to minimise any discomfort.

Once inserted, indwelling catheters are held in place by inflating a small balloon at thetip of the catheterin the bladder with sterile water, either already in a pre-filled chamber within the catheter or by using a syringe, so it can’t fall out of the bladder.

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If your indwelling catheter is going to be long term, then you may be considered for a suprapubic catheter. Asuprapubic catheteris performed as a minor surgical procedure under a local anaesthetic or light general anaesthetic and involves making a small incision in the abdomen and passing a tube into the bladder. This type of catheter acts the same as a urethral indwelling catheter but is considered more comfortable once healed and more suitable for those who are sexually active. It may also be an easier to manage option for those with a spinal injury.

How Often Does A Catheter Need Changing?

Indwelling catheters will need changing on a regular basis (around 4-12 week intervals depending on the type of catheter inserted). Your healthcare professional can change the catheter in your home, or in their surgery or urology department. You, or a member of your family, may also be taught how to change it at home. You must not try to remove your catheter without medical advice.

What Happens To The Urine?

There are two choices when it comes to draining the urine from your indwelling catheter. You can use a catheter valve or a drainage bag.

Drainage Bags

Adrainage bagconnects to the catheter into which the urine can flow freely and collect Drainage bags come in a variety of sizes and can be worn either around your leg or around your waist (for suprapubic catheters).

Legs Bags –these are held in place with either straps or a special holster and can hold up to around 500-700mls so will need to be emptied regularly. The bags have a tap attachment which makes emptying easier.

Waist Bags –these are for use with a suprapubic catheter and are attached by using a belt. The urine flows into the bag the same way as a leg bag and can be emptied in the same way. It can be useful to wear a loose top to gain easier access to the drainage bag.

Night Bags –these are larger capacity bags that can hold around 2 litres and I usually attached to a stand to allow urine to drain during the night. These bags are usually disposed of each morning and replaced each night to keep conditions sterile.

Catheter Valves

Acatheter valve是比排水袋更谨慎的选择。瓣膜连接到导管的末端，由于尿液会储存在膀胱中，因此需要定期释放阀门。导尿管瓣膜可以是一个很好的选择，以保持你的膀胱在正常的工作秩序，但你需要有灵巧的手打开阀门，并选择定期排空，以避免损害你的膀胱或肾脏。

Contact theBladder and Bowel Home Delivery Service欲了解更多留置导尿管的信息，请在我们周到友好的服务上签字。请拨打0800 031 5406。

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