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Complications of urinary bladder catheters and preventive strategies

INTRODUCTION

Urinary bladder catheters are used for urinary drainage or as a means to collect urine for measurement. Many clinical situations are appropriate for the placement of indwelling urethral catheters (table 1), but too frequently they are used without proper indication or continued longer than needed [1]. Daily evaluation of the ongoing need for the indwelling catheters with removal when no longer indicated is essential to reduce complications.

This topic will discuss the complications associated with urinary catheter use. The indications for placement, types, and the management of urinary catheters are discussed in detail elsewhere. (See "Placement and management of urinary bladder catheters".)

GENERAL COMPLICATIONS

Bacteriuria and urinary tract infection — The presence of bacteria in the urine is almost universal in patients with catheters in place for over one week. Rates vary depending upon the type of catheter and duration of use. The evaluation of bacteriuria and diagnosis of catheter-associated urinary tract infection is discussed in detail elsewhere. (See "Urinary tract infection associated with urethral catheters", section on 'Asymptomatic bacteriuria' and "Urinary tract infection associated with urethral catheters", section on 'Urinary tract infection'.)

Recurrent urinary tract infections as a result of chronic catheter use can lead to acute or chronic pyelonephritis, or bladder cancer. (See "Epidemiology and etiology of urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma of the bladder" and "Nonurothelial bladder cancer".)

Epididymitis — Urethral instrumentation of any type can cause epididymitis which may rarely disseminate to the testes as orchitis [2]. (See "Evaluation of the acute scrotum in adults".)

             

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Literature review current through: Apr 2013. | This topic last updated: Apr 27, 2012.
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References
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