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Is There Any Chance Of Getting Infection From Catheter Insertion?
Hi and thanks,
My 60 yr old healthy husband had inguinal and belly button hernia surgery 45 hrs ago @ a V.A. hospital. We had to return after 8 hours for catheter insertion by er doc. they cannot get him in for removal for 3 more days. He has had it for 36 or so hours. No obvious problems thus far except feet are swelling quite a bit and pain is increasing. It is VERY difficult to get a response from the VA and he will be alone for the next three days. Please tell us what is to be expected and what to consider. Esp. with the catheter and possible infection, and the amount of pain to be expected. He has hydrocodone, but taking that while alone could cloud his judgement. Please share your opinion. Thanks, Lisa
My 60 yr old healthy husband had inguinal and belly button hernia surgery 45 hrs ago @ a V.A. hospital. We had to return after 8 hours for catheter insertion by er doc. they cannot get him in for removal for 3 more days. He has had it for 36 or so hours. No obvious problems thus far except feet are swelling quite a bit and pain is increasing. It is VERY difficult to get a response from the VA and he will be alone for the next three days. Please tell us what is to be expected and what to consider. Esp. with the catheter and possible infection, and the amount of pain to be expected. He has hydrocodone, but taking that while alone could cloud his judgement. Please share your opinion. Thanks, Lisa
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 12 Oct 2016
Answered on
Thu, 13 Oct 2016
Last reviewed on
Hello
Thanks for query .
Your husband who is 60 years old has undergone surgery of Inguinal and umbilical hernia 2 days back and developed retention of urine which necessitated to put indwelling catheter to drain out urine from the bladder .
The retention of urine that he developed after surgery is mostly due to Enlarged Prostate which is common at this age .Was it evaluated before surgery to rule out this ?
The pain that he has is due to foreign body sensation in urethra and spam of the bladder .
Give him antibiotics like Cefotaxime and Oxybutinine along with anti inflammatory medication Diclofenac twice daily This will help to prevent infection and reduce prostate congestion .
Let the catheter be in for a week till the time expecting prostate congestion to subside and hope he will pass urine normally .
However you will need him to consult qualified urologist for evaluation as regards his enlarged prostate and need for endoscopic surgery (TURP)
to remove his prostate.
Dr.Patil
Thanks for query .
Your husband who is 60 years old has undergone surgery of Inguinal and umbilical hernia 2 days back and developed retention of urine which necessitated to put indwelling catheter to drain out urine from the bladder .
The retention of urine that he developed after surgery is mostly due to Enlarged Prostate which is common at this age .Was it evaluated before surgery to rule out this ?
The pain that he has is due to foreign body sensation in urethra and spam of the bladder .
Give him antibiotics like Cefotaxime and Oxybutinine along with anti inflammatory medication Diclofenac twice daily This will help to prevent infection and reduce prostate congestion .
Let the catheter be in for a week till the time expecting prostate congestion to subside and hope he will pass urine normally .
However you will need him to consult qualified urologist for evaluation as regards his enlarged prostate and need for endoscopic surgery (TURP)
to remove his prostate.
Dr.Patil
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