Suprapubic Catheter Replacement

What is Suprapubic Catheter Replacement

Suprapubic catheter replacement is a procedure to remove a catheter and insert a new, clean catheter. A suprapubic catheter is a rubber tube that drains urine from the bladder into a collection bag outside of the body.

The catheter is inserted into the bladder through a small opening in the lower abdomen, near the center of the body, above the pubic bone (suprapubic area). There is a tiny balloon filled with germ-free (sterile) water on the end of the catheter that is in the bladder. The balloon helps to keep the catheter in place.

If you need to wear a catheter for a long period of time, you may be instructed to replace the catheter yourself. Usually, suprapubic catheters need to be replaced every 4–6 weeks or as often as told by your health care provider.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including failure to get the catheter into the bladder.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions. Drink plenty of fluids starting several hours before your catheter will be replaced.
  • Ask your health care provider about changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
  • You may have an exam or testing.
  • You may have a blood or urine sample taken.
  • Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
  • If you go home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

  • To reduce your risk of infection:
    • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands, and put on sterile gloves.
    • The skin around your catheter opening will be washed with sterile cleaning solution.
  • You will lie on your back.
  • The water from the balloon will be removed using a syringe.
  • The catheter will be slowly removed.
  • Your health care provider will apply lubricant to the new catheter. Lubricant will be applied to the end of the catheter that will go into your bladder.
  • The new catheter will be inserted through the opening in your abdomen. Your health care provider will slide the catheter into your bladder.
  • Your health care provider will wait for some urine to start flowing through the catheter. When this happens, a syringe will be used to fill the balloon with sterile water.
  • A collection bag will be attached to the end of the catheter.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Make sure that you understand how to care for your catheter, your collection bag, and the opening in your abdomen.
  • Make sure that you know what to do in case you have difficulty replacing your suprapubic catheter yourself, if this applies.

Suprapubic Catheter Replacement, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After your procedure, it is possible to have some discomfort around the opening in your abdomen.

Follow these instructions at home:

Caring for your skin around the catheter

Use a clean washcloth and soapy water to clean the skin around your catheter every day. Pat the area dry with a clean towel.

  • Do not pull on the catheter.
  • Do not use ointment or lotion on this area unless told by your health care provider.
  • Check your skin around the catheter every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • Redness, swelling, or pain.
    • Fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.

Caring for the catheter tube

  • Clean the catheter tube with soap and water as often as told by your health care provider.
  • Always make sure there are no twists or curls (kinks) in the catheter tube.

Emptying the collection bag

Empty the large collection bag every 8 hours. Empty the small collection bag when it is about ⅔ full. To empty your large or small collection bag, take the following steps:

  • Always keep the bag below the level of the catheter. This keeps urine from flowing backwards into the catheter.
  • Hold the bag over the toilet or another container. Turn the valve (spigot) at the bottom of the bag to empty the urine.
    • Do not touch the opening of the spigot.
    • Do not let the opening touch the toilet or container.
  • Close the spigot tightly when the bag is empty.

Cleaning the collection bag

Clean the collection bag every 2–3 days, or as often as told by your health care provider. To do this, take the following steps:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Disconnect the bag from the catheter and immediately attach a new bag to the catheter.
  • Empty the used bag completely.
  • Clean the used bag using one of the following methods:
    • Rinse the bag with warm water and soap.
    • Fill the bag with water and add 1 tsp of vinegar. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then empty the bag.
  • Let the bag dry completely, and put it in a clean plastic bag before storing it.

General instructions

  • Always wash your hands before and after caring for your catheter and collection bag. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Always make sure there are no leaks in the catheter or collection bag.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub.
  • Keep all follow-up appointments as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You leak urine.
  • You have redness, swelling, or pain around your catheter opening.
  • You have fluid or blood coming from your catheter opening.
  • Your catheter opening feels warm to the touch.
  • You have pus or a bad smell coming from your catheter opening.
  • You have a fever or chills.
  • Your urine flow slows down.
  • Your urine becomes cloudy or smelly.

Get help right away if:

  • Your catheter comes out.
  • You feel nauseous.
  • You have back pain.
  • You have difficulty changing your catheter.
  • You have blood in your urine.
  • You have no urine flow for 1 hour.
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