What Is a Urinary Catheter?
A urinary catheter is a soft tube used to drain urine from the bladder. The common indwelling urethral catheter, often called a Foley catheter, passes through the urethra and is held inside the bladder by a small inflated balloon. A suprapubic catheter enters the bladder through the lower abdomen instead. Catheters are used when a patient cannot pass urine, during/after surgery, to protect a urinary repair or to monitor urine output. They are useful devices but can cause bladder spasms, leakage, blockage and infection, so they should remain only as long as clinically needed.
How does a Foley catheter work?
The catheter has drainage channels and a small balloon near its tip. Once the tip is correctly inside the bladder, the balloon is inflated with sterile fluid. This prevents the catheter from slipping out.
Urine drains through the tube into a leg bag or larger night bag.
Why might I need a catheter?
Common urological reasons include:
- Acute urinary retention.
- After prostate or bladder surgery.
- After urethral reconstruction.
- To monitor urine output after major surgery.
- Temporary inability to pass urine after anaesthesia.
- Severe obstruction when immediate bladder drainage is needed.
- Long-term bladder-emptying problems in selected patients.
Urethral vs suprapubic catheter
Urethral catheter
Passes through the urinary opening and urethra into the bladder. It is the most common temporary catheter.
Suprapubic catheter
Passes through a small tract in the lower abdomen directly into the bladder. It may be preferred for some long-term situations or when the urethra needs to be protected.
What does catheter insertion feel like?
Insertion can cause pressure, burning or discomfort. Local anaesthetic gel is often used for urethral catheterisation. The level of discomfort varies with anatomy, prostate enlargement, urethral narrowing and reason for insertion.
Difficult catheterisation should be performed by appropriately trained clinicians rather than repeated forceful attempts.
What symptoms are common while a catheter is in place?
- Awareness of the tube.
- Mild urethral discomfort.
- Bladder spasms or sudden urgency.
- Small amounts of leakage around the catheter.
- Blood-tinged urine after some operations.
These symptoms should remain manageable and urine should continue to drain.
Why can urine leak around the catheter?
Causes include bladder spasm, constipation, a kinked tube, blockage by debris/clot, a full bag or catheter problems. If leakage occurs together with little/no urine in the bag and increasing bladder pain, blockage is possible.
Can a catheter cause infection?
The risk of bacteriuria and infection increases with catheter duration. Good hand hygiene, a closed drainage system and avoiding unnecessary disconnection help reduce risk.
Antibiotics are not automatically required simply because a catheter is present.
How long does a catheter stay after surgery?
It depends on why it was inserted. After a minor procedure it may be removed the same day or next day. After prostate, bladder or urethral reconstruction, it may need to remain longer to protect healing tissue.
Do not remove a postoperative catheter early because it is uncomfortable.
What is a trial without catheter (TWOC)?
A TWOC is a planned catheter removal followed by assessment of whether you can pass urine adequately. The team may measure urine flow or bladder residual volume.
If you cannot pass urine, another catheter may be needed temporarily.
Catheter vs DJ stent: patients often mix them up
| Device | Where it runs | Where urine goes |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary catheter (Foley) | Bladder through the urethra to the outside | Into an external bag, or through a valve in selected situations |
| Suprapubic catheter | Bladder through the lower abdominal wall | Into an external bag/valve |
| DJ/JJ ureteric stent | Kidney to bladder, entirely inside the urinary tract unless a removal string is attached | Urine still passes into the bladder and is then voided normally or drained by a catheter if one is also present |
When to seek urgent help
- Catheter stops draining and the bladder becomes painful/full.
- The catheter falls out or is pulled out.
- Heavy blood/clots block drainage.
- High fever or chills.
- Severe new flank or lower abdominal pain.
- Marked swelling or pus around a suprapubic site.
FAQs
Can I walk with a Foley catheter?
Usually yes. Secure the tubing and leg bag so the catheter does not pull.
Can I shower with a catheter?
Usually yes once your surgical wound instructions allow it. Keep the drainage system secured and use routine gentle hygiene.
Why do I still feel like passing urine with a catheter in place?
Bladder spasms and irritation can create urgency even while urine is draining.
Is a catheter the same as a DJ stent?
No. A catheter drains the bladder to an external bag. A DJ stent is an internal tube running from kidney to bladder through the ureter.
Related reading
- Catheter Care After Surgery
- What Is a DJ Stent?
- Blood in Urine After Urology Surgery
- When to Call the Doctor After Urology Surgery
- Follow-Up After Urology Surgery
- Urologist in Latur
References
- British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS). Management of a urethral catheter https://www.baus.org.uk/patients/information_leaflets/7/management_of_a_urethral_catheter