How Often Should An Indwelling Catheter Bag Be Changed In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Fri, 4 Nov 2016

Question: My father is 91 and has an indwelling catheter because his bladder has lost all flexibility. He is considering getting a suprapubic catheter. My concern is: Does this loss of flexibility affect the ability of the bladder wall to seal around the puncturing tube, and does it affect the ability of the hole to heal if the tube is removed?

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist, I can understand your concern. The opening will seal of in a few days after removal.
S.P.C.(supra pubic catheter),is a better option than an indwelling catheter.
The best option, is to do I.C.C. (intermittent clean catheterization).
It can be done by self or assisted.
Wish him well.
Dr. Matthew J. Mangat.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (27 minutes later)

I cannot understand why ICC would be a better option. To have the freedom from a bag every now and then would require a new catheter and the necessary hands on every time, which could be several times a week. I have witnessed the agony when the bladder gets distended without a catheter after they took it out in the hospital a few months ago. I have also seen the health nurse who changes his catheter needing to make several adjustments before it was positioned correctly, explaining that it is possible for it to go into the prostate, and that you have to tell by feel if it is correctly placed. Someone who is in a hurry because of developing pain may end up in a great deal of trouble if they cannot get it correctly positioned. I must ask then, why, in his case, would ICC be better than a tube replaced only once a month or so?

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
ICC doesn't require a new catheter each time.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
ICC is clean catheterization.
It doesn't need a new catheter each time, but the same one, which's cleaned with antiseptic solution.
The catheterization technique is taught to person or assistant. If done properly, it's simple.
Catheters never go into prostate gland.
ICC has fewer UTI's than a SPC.
It need be done only once every 5-6 hours. It's not painful and is practised by millions across the world.
Wishing him well.
Dr. Matthew J. Mangat.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (1 hour later)

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Matthew J. Mangat (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You're welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
You're welcome.
Wishing your father good health.
Dr. Matthew J. Mangat.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar