Catheter - How long should it remain in ... - Bladder Health UK

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Catheter - How long should it remain in after emergency catherisation?

MichaelJH profile image
7 Replies

Hi! This is my first post on this forum - apologies if it is . not the right one.

On Monday I underwent a short procedure (under an hour) under full anesthesia. This was planned as a day patient but I ended up staying overnight as I was unable to go for a pee! In the end I had a catheter inserted in the early hours as by then I was in considerable discomfort. The sister told me it would be removed in the morning and they would see how I got on. Cue a shift change and the aim became to send me home. I was told the catheter would be removed in the community in two weeks!

I was puzzled by the change and now that I am feeling somewhat better rather annoyed by it. Research suggests this is not an uncommon problem after a general anesthesic. I am thinking of contacting my GP first thing Monday about having it removed and seeing if things are OK. One person has suggested the discharge was totally unprofessional!

I thought I would seek the opinion of the comments

Thank you in advance.

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MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH
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7 Replies

Hi sometimes things change as might have found an issue? but thye should keep you informed as were not children!

It isn't a problem leaving in a for a while as maybe to let area settle?

As some are short term and others longterm caths

Most Hospitals use Bard Bio Caths (Grey colour)there very good nice and supple so less issues hopefully they have put/given you a flip flo valve? that way you can use as just that or connect to bags but you have control rather than just on drain which isn't good if your able bodied and have a sane mind.

On constant drain causes more trauma and increases UTI risks one being tip sticks into bladder walls as gets pulled in with suction/syphoning effect(like hand over plug hole on bath)

But with a valve you can get bladder to work as normal.

The gold standard with bags is the Rusch belly bag sits round middle bladder heigh that way the bladder push urine out not sucked out!

But if using just cath with valve don't just let it dangle on drainage as lets air get inside bladder!

Keep end around bladder height as slows flow and don't worry about emptying all but keep drinking plenty of fluid so bladder is flushed out.

Been/seen/had/done!

When ive used one only ever had one UTI which was in first week used which is common as i learn't how/what/where etc

So if need any help feel free

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH in reply to

Thank you for the response. It is s Unimedical continuous drain into a bag strapped to my leg. There is a tap at the bottom. My surgeon was unconnected and about the neckline.

in reply to MichaelJH

Hi are you in USA? as think there a bit Batty/Backward re valves?

As did read somewhere that they don't permit/allow them? have one word for them "Retards"

If your Allowed tell them you want a flip flo valve on end of cath so can control it.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH in reply to

No, I am in the UK. As mentioned I thought the discharge was somewhat unprofessional. I had cause to ring the clinic nurse after posting and found out the person on the ward had not passed over the relevant discharge information. Fortunately I have a fair degree of common sense or could have caused problems with recovery. The surgery was unrelated to the bladder so it was something of a shock. If it has to remain for a while I will ask for a tap. Thanks again.

in reply to MichaelJH

The tap becomes the end of the sealed system so you can choose if want bag or not and can leave open if feel need to

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH

Well after a bit of s struggle I have s TWOC arranged for the end of the week in the local hospital. If it fails all things being equal I will have a tap rather than a bag. But if it does u will be asking why?

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH in reply to MichaelJH

The TWOC was successful! Although they said I would need to do two "pees" for for it to be declared successful after one I was told I was fine to go home - shades of premature discharge again! I decided as they said two I would stay in the hospital until I had been twice so had a large coffee at the Costa and 40 minutes later went again. They said they will send me a follow up appointment in about three months but after Christmas I will talk to my GP about the whole saga!

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