Urinary Catheters

Suprapubic catheters

A suprapubic catheter is basically an indwelling catheter that is placed directly into the bladder through the abdomen. The catheter is inserted above the pubic bone. This catheter must be placed by a urologist during an outpatient surgery or office procedure. The insertion site (opening on the abdomen) and the tube must be cleansed daily with soap and water and covered with a dry gauze.

These catheters usually are changed by qualified medical personnel. The catheter may be attached to the standard drainage bags described above. A suprapubic catheter may be recommended in people who require long term catheterization, after some gynecological surgeries, and in people with urethral injury or obstruction.

Complications of suprapubic catheter use may include: urinary tract and/or kidney infections, blood infections (septicemia), urine leakage around the catheter, skin breakdown, bladder stones, and blood in the urine (hematuria). After many years of catheter use, bladder cancer may also develop.