Why does urine always flow down the side of the urinary catheter even though it has been left in place?

2025-02-21

Catheterization is a common medical procedure that involves inserting a single urine catheter into the bladder to empty the urine.

Urethral Catheter.jpg

When a catheter is implanted into the body, it is sometimes possible to experience urine leaking out of the side of the catheter, which can be confusing and

uncomfortable for the patient and can increase the work load of the care giver. The main clinical manifestations include:

Constant leakage of urine from the urethralopening or around the catheter;

The patient may have symptoms such asurinary urgency, urinary frequency, and urinary pain;

And a decrease in the amount of urine in the drainage bag, which is observed to be disproportionate to the patient's urine volume.



In order to make it easier for you to remember, the possible causes of urine leakage from the side of the catheter and the treatment methods are now organized

into a table.


Classification of   causesPossible causesTreatment
Catheter ProblemsCatheter is twisted, compressed,   folded,
    or not the right size

Check the catheter for compression and twisting,

the drainage bag must be lower than the bladder, and replace the catheter with a catheter that

meets the right size

Bladder spasmsUrine leakage due to overactive bladderUse of anticholinergics such as tolterodine tartrate
Obstructed urinary catheterInability to pass urine through a   catheterAntibiotics to control infection
Urinary tract infectionCauses bladder irritation and produces leakageAntibiotics to control infection
Inadequate bladder function trainingHigh internal pressure

Adjust the catheter type to   reduce the amount

of fluid in the balloon

Problems with urinary bladderInsufficient or or too much water filling of the bladder, resulting in urine leakage

Water injection should be   uniform, to prevent

the airbag water injection bias, adjust the amount of   liquid in the airbag

Hypercontractility of the bladder's detrusor  

muscle

Causes urine to leak out of the side of the catheter

654-2 Relief of bladder spasms by

medications such as oral or intramuscular,

intramuscular progesterone

Decreased bladder compliance

Fibrosis of the detrusor muscle   leads to decreased bladder

compliance and causes bladder spasms

Adjust the catheter type to reduce the amount  

of fluid in the balloon

Uncomfortable bladder flushing fluid temperature

The temperature of the douche is   too low during the cold

season, causing bladder spasms.

Adjust the temperature of the rinse solution to  

be close to body temperature



Principles of treatment:


1. Check and adjust the catheter: Ensure that the catheter is not twisted or pressurized and is properly positioned.


2. Replace the catheter: if the catheter is not the right size or there is a blockage, the catheter should be replaced.


3. Medication: Use anticholinergics andantispasmodics to control bladder spasms.


4. Bladder irrigation: for catheter blockage, bladder irrigation or replacement of the urinary catheter can be performed.


5. Infection control: Use antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections and reduce bladder irritation.


6. Appropriate clamping and opening of the urinary catheter: Bladder function training, appropriate clamping and opening of the urinary catheter, to avoid

overfilling of the bladder.


7. Psychological support: Provide psychological support to patients to reduce anxiety and tension.



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