A bladder catheter is a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine from the body. It may be needed for difficulty urinating, measuring urine volume, or during surgery. The procedure is called catheterization, and complications are rare but can occur.
The bladder holds urine until it can be passed out of the body through urination. Once the kidneys create urine, it travels through tubes called ureters into the bladder. A bladder catheter, often called a urinary catheter, is a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine from the body instead of normal urination. A bag attached to the catheter tube collects the urine.
A catheter may be needed for a variety or reasons. In individuals who have difficulty urinating, either temporarily or long-term, a bladder catheter may be needed. Catheters are also inserted when urine volume needs to be measured or collected and tested for diagnostic purposes. Catheters are also often used during surgery to monitor urine flow.
Urinary catheters can be used for a very short time, during procedures such as surgery, or when recovering from injury or illness. Long-term bladder catheters may also be needed for people with problems such as spinal cord injury. These types of catheters are called long-term indwelling catheters.
The procedure for placing a bladder catheter is called catheterization. Urine exits the bladder and flows through the urethra to leave the body. Before catheterization, the urethra is cleaned and a sterile bladder catheter is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. A small balloon is attached to the end of the catheter to hold it in place. A small amount of sterile water will be inserted into the port to inflate the balloon once it’s in the bladder.
Inserting a bladder catheter is usually a quick procedure. While usually not painful, a patient may experience discomfort. How long the catheter stays in the bladder depends on the initial reason it was placed and the patient’s condition. Catheter removal involves deflating the balloon and gradually pulling the tube out of the bladder through the urethra.
Complications during or shortly after bladder catheter placement are rare, but can occur. Bleeding or trauma to the urethra can occur, especially if the balloon is inflated before being pushed all the way through the urethra. Catheters can also block, which blocks the flow of urine out of the body.
Other complications or risks associated with catheter use include a bladder infection, which can travel to the kidneys. Skin irritation and cracking around the catheter site may also occur. Complications are more likely to occur from a bladder catheter when it is used long-term.
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