This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Urethral versus suprapubic catheterisation

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Suprapubic catheterisation has the following advantages:

  • less uncomfortable for the patient once complete
  • cleaner
  • easier to perform a trial without catheter; the suprapubic is simply spiggoted and unspiggoted if the trial fails
  • particularly indicated if there is a history of surgery to the urethra, or if there is a known urethral stricture

Problems with suprapubic catheterisation include:

  • previous lower abdominal surgery may cause difficulty, especially if there has been peritonitis after bowel perforation
  • the midline should be avoided by 1 cm, and the catheter placed 2 cm above the symphisis pubis
  • there must be bladder distension to allow palpation and accurate placement

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.