Urinary Catheters

Abstract

Urinary catheters are used to drain urine from the bladder. The main indications are:

• A. Diagnostic

  • Measure post-void residual in the absence of ultrasound scanning

  • Urine sample for evaluation by culture and microscopy in patients who are unable to void

  • Measure urine output in critically ill patients

• B. Investigational

  • Filling the bladder prior to ultrasound investigation of the abdomen

  • Urodynamics

  • Cystograms

• C. Therapeutic

  • During labor when epidural anaesthesia is used

  • Urinary retention (e.g., secondary to bladder outlet obstruction)

  • Intractable urinary incontinence

  • Major surgery (e.g., hip surgery, abdominal and pelvic surgery)

  • Instillation of chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., mitomycin C and bacillus Calmette-Guérin [BCG])

  • Patients who are not fit for or do not want medical or surgical treatment for their bladder conditions