Urinary Catheters Overview

Introduction to Urinary Catheters

• A urinary catheter is a thin tube used to help drain urine from the bladder.
• Its therapeutic purposes include helping patients with urinary incontinence, urinary retention, or those who need urine samples for laboratory tests.

Types of Urinary Catheters

• Catheters come in different sizes, materials, and tip shapes (e.g., straight, curved, or angled).
• Each type is designed for a specific patient and purpose.

Materials Used

• Catheters are made of two common materials: latex and silicone.
• Latex catheters can cause allergic reactions, irritation to the urethral mucosa, and encrustation, which can lead to urethral trauma during removal.
• Silicone catheters are more tolerant of the body, non-adherent to the urethral endothelium, and can remain in place for 3-4 months without needing to be changed.

Types of Urinary Catheters (continued)

• There are two main types of catheters: Foley and Relatón.
• Foley catheters are used for long-term drainage and have a balloon at the distal end that is inflated with 10 milliliters of sterile water to secure it in the bladder.
• Relatón catheters are shorter, more rigid, and used for temporary drainage or to collect urine samples for laboratory tests.

Catheter Sizes

• Catheter sizes are measured in French units (e.g., 14Fr, 16Fr, etc.).
• One French unit is equivalent to 0.3 millimeters.
• Common catheter sizes for adults are 14Fr, 16Fr, 18Fr, 20Fr, and 22Fr, while pediatrics use 6Fr and 10Fr.

Additional Information

• Catheters can be used in various medical conditions, such as prostate surgery, spinal cord injuries, or multiple sclerosis.
• The frequency of changing catheters depends on hospital protocols and patient needs.

Urinary Catheters

• Thin tube used to drain urine from the bladder
• Therapeutic purposes: managing urinary incontinence, retention, and collecting urine samples for lab tests

Types of Urinary Catheters

• Varying sizes, materials, and tip shapes (straight, curved, angled) for specific patients and purposes
• Two main types: Foley and Relatón

Materials Used

• Two common materials: latex and silicone
• Latex catheters: can cause allergic reactions, urethral mucosa irritation, and encrustation
• Silicone catheters: tolerant of the body, non-adherent, and can remain in place for 3-4 months without removal

Foley Catheters

• Used for long-term drainage
• Feature a balloon at the distal end inflated with 10ml of sterile water to secure it in the bladder

Relatón Catheters

• Used for temporary drainage and collecting urine samples
• Shorter, more rigid, and without a balloon

Catheter Sizes

• Measured in French units (e.g., 14Fr, 16Fr)
• One French unit = 0.3 millimeters
• Common sizes for adults: 14Fr, 16Fr, 18Fr, 20Fr, and 22Fr
• Pediatric sizes: 6Fr and 10Fr

Additional Information

• Used in various medical conditions: prostate surgery, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis
• Catheter-changing frequency depends on hospital protocols and patient needs

Learn about the purpose and types of urinary catheters, including their materials and designs, used to help patients with urinary issues.