eMedicine Specialties > Clinical Procedures > Genitourinary Procedures

Urethral Catheterization, Men

Author: Gil Z Shlamovitz, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Windham Community Memorial Hospital, Willimantic, CT; Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 10, 2008

Introduction

Urethral catheterization is a routine medical procedure that facilitates direct drainage of the urinary bladder.1 It may be used for diagnostic purposes (to help determine the etiology of various genitourinary conditions) or therapeutically (to relieve urinary retention, instill medication, or provide irrigation). Catheters may be inserted as an in-and-out procedure for immediate drainage, left in with a self-retaining device for short-term drainage (eg, during surgery), or left indwelling for long-term drainage for patients with chronic urinary retention. Patients of all ages may require urethral catheterization, but patients who are elderly or chronically ill are more likely to require indwelling catheters, which carry their own independent risks.

The basic principles underlying urethral catheterization are gender-neutral, but the specific aspects important in the technique of male catheterization are described in this article. For a procedural description for female patients, see Urethral Catheterization, Women.

For more information on urinary retention, see the Medscape CME activity Management of Urinary Retention Reviewed.

Indications

Contraindications

Urethral catheterization is contraindicated in the presence of traumatic injury to the lower urinary tract (eg, urethral tear). This condition may be suspected in male patients with a pelvic or straddle-type injury. Signs that increase suspicion for injury are a high-riding or boggy prostate, perineal hematoma, or blood at the meatus. When any of these findings are present in the setting of concerning trauma, a retrograde urethrogram should be performed to rule out a ureteral tear prior to placing a catheter into the bladder.2

More on Urethral Catheterization, Men

Overview: Urethral Catheterization, Men
Treatment & Medication: Urethral Catheterization, Men
Multimedia: Urethral Catheterization, Men
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Thomsen TW, Setnik GS. Videos in clinical medicine. Male urethral catheterization. N Engl J Med. May 25 2006;354(21):e22. [Medline].

  2. Hadfield-Law L. Male catheterization. Accid Emerg Nurs. Oct 2001;9(4):257-63. [Medline].

  3. Selius BA, Subedi R. Urinary retention in adults: diagnosis and initial management. Am Fam Physician. Mar 1 2008;77(5):643-50. [Medline].

  4. Newman DK. The indwelling urinary catheter: principles for best practice. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. Nov-Dec 2007;34(6):655-61; quiz 662-3. [Medline].

  5. Gerard LL, Cooper CS, Duethman KS, Gordley BM, Kleiber CM. Effectiveness of lidocaine lubricant for discomfort during pediatric urethral catheterization. J Urol. Aug 2003;170(2 Pt 1):564-7. [Medline].

  6. Siderias J, Guadio F, Singer AJ. Comparison of topical anesthetics and lubricants prior to urethral catheterization in males: a randomized controlled trial. Acad Emerg Med. Jun 2004;11(6):703-6. [Medline].

  7. Schumm K, Lam TB. Types of urethral catheters for management of short-term voiding problems in hospitalised adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Apr 16 2008;CD004013. [Medline].

  8. Daneshgari F, Krugman M, Bahn A, Lee RS. Evidence-based multidisciplinary practice: improving the safety and standards of male bladder catheterization. Medsurg Nurs. Oct 2002;11(5):236-41, 246. [Medline].

  9. Cockett AT, Cockett WS. Case against the catheter: Emile Coudé. Urology. Nov 1978;12(5):619-20. [Medline].

  10. Wyndaele JJ. Complications of intermittent catheterization: their prevention and treatment. Spinal Cord. Oct 2002;40(10):536-41. [Medline].

  11. Hart S. Urinary catheterisation. Nurs Stand. Mar 12-18 2008;22(27):44-8. [Medline].

  12. Reichman E, Simon RR. Emergency Medicine Procedures. McGraw Hill; 2004.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

foley, urethral catheter, urinary catheter, urethral catheterization, catheter placement, catheter insertion, Coudé catheter, Coudé, foley catheter, urine specimen, urine output, urinary tract, urethral tear

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Gil Z Shlamovitz, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Windham Community Memorial Hospital, Willimantic, CT; Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
Gil Z Shlamovitz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Andrew K Chang, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center
Andrew K Chang, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Luis M Lovato, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Director of Critical Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Olive View/UCLA Medical Center
Luis M Lovato, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD, Medical Director, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Section of Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital
Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

Chief Editor

Jonathan Adler, MD, Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Jonathan Adler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: eMedicine.com, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.