How to use a disposable urinary catheter?

With the widespread use of disposable devices in clinical practice, almost all patients now use disposable balloon catheters to empty their urine. The operation is quite easy in most cases and the patients do not feel any pain. However, for a small number of patients with prostate hypertrophy, this operation is more difficult and the patients suffer greater pain. So how to use a disposable catheter? Let's see how the experts introduce it.

1. Obtaining patient cooperation is essential

The purpose of the operation should be explained to the patient and cooperation should be obtained before the operation. Many patients with urinary retention become anxious and restless due to bladder pain and tight contraction of the urethral sphincter. At this time, the urethra encounters resistance when it enters the membranous part of the urethra. However, many people insert it with greater force. The urethra is strongly stimulated, causing reflex smooth muscle spasm, and the patient's pain and tension are increased. This will inevitably tighten the urethral sphincter. Catheterization is more difficult. This is especially true in younger patients. The correct approach at this time should be to ask the patient to take a deep breath and relax.

2 Minimizing the patient's pain is the key to successful catheterization

Use lubricant liberally. The amount of paraffin oil should be more rather than less. Our experience is that not only should the catheter of sufficient length be lubricated, but it is also best to use a syringe to inject paraffin oil into the anterior urethra to ensure that the anterior urethra is fully lubricated. This can not only significantly reduce the resistance when the catheter enters the anterior urethra, but also relieve the patient's pain. This is especially important in men with enlarged prostate.

3 Lying on the side can protect the prostate from compression. Usually allows smooth insertion of the catheter

The difficulty in urinary retention due to prostatic hypertrophy is caused by the highly filled bladder sinking into the abdominal cavity when lying flat, and the posterior urethra being twisted, changing its direction to an inverse "S" shape to that of a normal male urethra. The head of the inserted catheter presses against the anterior wall of the prostate and cannot move forward. If the above method still does not work, you can first perform suprapubic bladder puncture to drain all the urine and then successfully introduce it.

To sum up, what we have said above are the solutions to some problems we often encounter in clinical practice. Everyone should be clear about them. In general, the movements should be gentle, and the operation should be performed without pain to the patient as much as possible. The movements must not be rough, and brute force should not be used. Also, attention must be paid to the patient's personal hygiene in daily life.