Urinary Catheter Size For Male

Frequently Asked Questions About Male Catheters

Catheterization can give rise to some hesitation and concern therefore, at Wellspect, we have decided to collect some of the most common questions and do our best to answer them.

The content of this post is only for informative purposes and it is not intended for product promotion or diagnosis. For further information, Wellspect strongly recommends consulting a healthcare specialist that can answer your questions and knows what is available in your local market.

For reference: Mauro Menarini, Judit Timar, Blue Book. 201 risposte alla mielolesione, Mirano, La Colonna Onlus, 2016 .

Reference links:

Why Do I Need To Use The Right Size Of Catheter For My Individual Body Type

In their 2009 Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections , the Centers for Disease Control recommends that unless otherwise clinically indicated, individuals should consider using the smallest diameter catheter possible, that still allows for good urinary drainage, to minimize bladder and urethral trauma.

Choosing The Best Catheter

The oldest way to lubricate catheters is to use K-Y jelly packets on dry catheters.

There are a few reasons that this method is not ideal:

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What Are Some Of The Features That Catheters Come With

Besides type, there are a few features that distinguish catheters. These include:

• Silicone coating: The silicone coating makes the catheter more secure and causes less allergies in the patient. The downside to silicone coating is that it makes the catheter less stretchable.
• Catheter eyes: Catheter eyes are the holes in which the urine drains through. The most commmon reason for a catheter to be replaced is the blockage of these holes. Some catheters have eyes on two different sides of the catheter, while others have two holes on the same side . Staggered eye catheters allow for higher drainage, you should consider them if you have high urine flow.
• Coude tip: These catheters have a rounded tip that helps it move through the urethra better.
• Latex-free: An absolute necessity for those with latex allegeries.
• Touchless: These catheters come pre-lubricated with a protective sheath that allow for a more sanitary insertion process.

Coud Catheter Vs Straight Catheter

A straight catheter has a straight tip and is the standard catheter. A coudé catheter has a curved tip. The curve makes insertion easier for people who have bumps along the urethra or at the entrance of the bladder. The bumps act as speed bumps to the straight catheters, making it hard for them to pass through.

On the other hand, the curved tip of a coude will allow the catheter to slip past the bumps more smoothly. The coudé tip also helps prevent the catheter from being inserted into a false passage.

People with these conditions may need the coudé catheter:

• Enlarged prostate aka Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
• Scarring from prior prostate surgery
• Urinary stricture disease or prior urethral trauma
• False passages in the urethra or stoma
• Radiation treatment for prostate/bladder cancer

When inserting a coudé catheter, you need to make sure the tip points up. Usually, you can see a line that marks the direction either on the funnel or along the catheter tube. For the CompactCath coudé, the tip will always point up as long as you hold the case facing upwards.

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Understanding The French Scale For Intermittent Catheters And Foley Catheters

Catheter size relates to the thickness or diameter of the catheter and is measured in Charriere or French Gauge . French sizes only apply to intermittent and indwelling catheters.

A French size is comparable to the circumference of the catheter in millimeters. French or FR is equivalent to 0.33 millimeters, which converts to .013 inch or 1/77 inch in diameter. French size does not apply to the length of the catheter.

• The average catheter size used by adult men is between 14FR to 16FR. Most men use 14FR catheters.
• The average catheter size used by adult women ranges from 10FR to 12FR. Most women use 12FR catheters.
• The average catheter size used by children ranges between 6FR and 10FR.

What Is A Urinary Catheter

A urinary catheter, when referring to an intermittent catheter or indwelling catheter, is a hollow tube that is inserted into the bladder to drain urine.

Intermittent catheters are used to treat urinary retention, and indwelling catheters are used to treat urinary retention and urinary incontinence.

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When Should A Catheter Be Used

In 2018 Meddings and colleagues set out to determine criteria for urinary catheter use in common general and orthopaedic surgeries using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method.6 A bold undertaking, the panel, consisting of two multidisciplinary sub-panels totaling 24 members utilized a standard process to independently rate the clinical appropriateness for Foley catheter placement in 91 general surgical procedures and 36 orthopaedic surgeries. With the aim to limit unnecessary catheterization and prioritize removal when urinary drainage was needed, prompted three recommended categories: procedures for which indwelling urinary catheter placement should be avoided, procedures to consider removing indwelling urinary catheters before leaving the operating room, and procedures in which urinary catheters should remain in use until postoperative day 1 . One obvious omission in this panel review was the lack of review of urologic procedures.

In the general surgical realm, Foley catheter use was highly appropriate for all colorectal surgeries with appropriate timing of first voiding trial occurring as early as postoperative day 0 or postoperative day 1. Routine catheter placement was deemed inappropriate for several procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open appendectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy without a suprapubic port, open repair of reducible hernias , and most laparoscopic repairs provided the patient voided preoperatively.

Male Catheter Insertion Tips: Straight And Coud Tips

Next, you should know a little bit about the different types of catheter insertion tips available on all types of male catheters.

On average, most people tend to use the standard straight catheter tip. This is usually slightly tapered to aid in a more comfortable insertion, but straight catheters have no curve or bend in the tip.

Coudé tip catheters, however, feature a curve in the tip. In fact, coudé is a French word for elbow or bend. Some people may refer to coudé tip catheters as bent tip catheters or curved tip catheters.

Because some men have difficulty passing straight catheters, doctors may sometimes prescribe coudé catheters. The unique curve near the insertion tip of male coudé catheters helps aid catheter users to bypass tight places like urethral strictures, enlarged prostates, or blockages in the urethral passage.

Learn more about the basics of coudé catheters here, including the different types of coudé catheter tips.

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Urinary Catheter Insertion For Male Patients

Transcript

Hi there! Lets take a look at urinary catheters and catheter insertion for male patients.

A urinary catheter is a hollow, flexible tube inserted through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine into an external collection bag.

Once the catheter has been inserted, a small balloon on the internal end is inflated with sterile water to keep it in situ.

Catheters are used often in healthcare settings to assist with a variety of conditions, such as both urinary incontinence and urinary retention, or by patients who may be unable to go to the toilet without assistance.

Procedure

The following demonstration is based on the Catheterisation Clinical Guidelines by the Australia and New Zealand Urological Nurses Society.

Remember to always refer first to your organisations internal policies and procedures when performing any procedure like this one.

Details

What Is The French Scale For Catheters

1 French or Fr is equivalent to 0.33 mm = .013 = 1/77 in diameter. The size in French units is roughly equal to the circumference of the catheter in millimeters.

French sizes only apply to intermittent and indwelling catheters. External catheters sizes are measured in millimeters , depending on the diameter of the condom-shaped receptacle.

The average catheter size used by adult men range from 14fr to 16fr, and most men use 14fr catheters.

The average catheter size used by adult women range from 10fr to 12fr, and most women use 12fr catheters.

Catheters are color-coded based on their french sizes:

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Shape And Design Variations

The distal end of most urinary catheters contains two ports . One is a funnel shaped drainage channel to allow efflux of urine once the catheter is placed and the other is the inflation/deflation channel for infusion of water into the retention balloon. The infusion port for the balloon is usually labeled with the size of the balloon and the size of the catheter. Three-way catheters are available with a third channel to facilitate continuous bladder irrigation or for instillation of medication. This catheter is primarily used following urological surgery or in case of bleeding from a bladder or prostate tumor and the bladder may need continuous or intermittent irrigation to clear blood clots or debris.

The catheter should have a smooth surface with two drainage eyes at the tip that allow for urine drainage.Drainage eyes are placed either laterally or opposed. Opposing drainage eyes generally facilitate better drainage.Catheter products have changed significantly in their composition, texture, and durability since the 1990s.The challenge is to produce a catheter that matches as closely as possible to the normal physiological and mechanical characteristics of the voiding system, specifically the urethra and bladder. Foley catheters come in several subtypes, which are described in the area designs.

Male Closed System Catheters

A closed system catheter, which is also known as a touchless or no-touch catheter, features a pre-lubricated or hydrophilic male length catheter housed in its own self-contained sterile collection bag. This makes it great for traveling. Also, people in wheelchairs often prefer closed system catheter kits because they dont have to transfer to a toilet or find a receptacle to drain into. With a closed system catheter, you can self-catheterize anywhere you have privacy.

One new and popular option is the Hollister VaPro Plus Touch-Free Male Catheter, which has its own integrated collection bag and a protective touch-free sleeve.

Sometimes closed system catheter kits have catheter insertion supplies such as gloves, an underpad, and an antiseptic wipe. Most closed systems also feature soft pre-lubricated introducer tips to further reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.

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Infection Prevention Bactiguard Infection Protection Technology

Bactiguards infection prevention technology, BIP, is based on a very thin noble metal alloy coating, consisting of gold, silver and palladium, firmly attached to the urinary catheter. When in contact with fluid , the noble metals create a galvanic effect. The microcurrents that occur reduce microbial adhesion, which decreases the risk of biofilm formation leading to urinary tract infection. Read more about the Bactiguard technology > > >

Catheter without infection protection

When enough bacteria have colonized the surface, they form a biofilm. If they begin to disperse, there is an increased risk of infection. Read more about catheter-related urinary tract infection > > >

Catheter with Bactiguard coating

Less bacteria adhere to the Bactiguard coated surface, which decreases the risk for biofilm formation leading to infection.

What Type Of Catheter For Men Is Best

When it comes to catheters, no single type or size works for everyone. Thats why we suggest talking to your doctor about your needs. They can assess your condition and recommend what may work best for you.

Our Product Specialists are also more than happy to help you find the right intermittent catheter for you! As true experts in the catheter industry, were glad to be a trusted resource and support system as you determine what kind of male catheter product works best for your individual needs.

Contact us today or give us a call at 1-877-688-2729. Wed love the opportunity to discuss male catheters with you!

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What Design Elements To Consider When Choosing A Catheter

When you are choosing a catheter, you have a lot of choices, so think about how you want the catheter to fit into your life. Maybe you want it to take up as little space as possible in your already crowded bags? Maybe you dont want people to see it and immediately recognize it to be a catheter? And maybe you want it to fit into your back pocket when you go to a public restroom? If discretion is a concern, you might want to opt for a catheter that is compact, lightweight, and tastefully packaged.

Check out CompactCath® Lite that is designed to have an elegant rain-drop shaped packaging and is smaller than the palm of your hands.

Which Drainage Or Leg Bag Should I Choose

Drainage bags collect and store urine from a catheter. Drainage bags are usually attached to a patients bed. Many Drainage Bags provide measurement indicators to monitor the volume of urine. A more ambulatory drainage collection device is the Leg Bag. Smaller than drainage bags, leg bags strap to the leg of the patient and fits deiscreetly under pants or skirts. Leg bags are easily drained by a valve device into a toilet. Drainage bags and lefs bags should be placed lower than the catheter to allow gravity to draw the urine away from the body and to prevent urine from draining back into the bladder. Make sure the bag is just the right size for your needs and that it works with your catheter. New leg bags and drainage bags employ anti-reflux values that are helpful to prevent urine for going backwards in the tube.

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Catheter Preference In Female And Male Patients

Cather preference is less an issue when considering gender difference than ensuring strict sterile technique. Aside from an obvious abnormality the anatomy of a male infant is similar to that of an adult male, though smaller and lacking secondary sexual characteristics. A physiologic phimosis is frequently encountered during childhood, but the foreskin should not be forced to be retracted. Care should be taken to avoid forceful catheter placement as the tissue of a male infant is much less resilient compared to an adult male.18

Again, the most important factor when it comes to Foley placement in male versus female patients, is technique. In females, exposure is important and may require additional personnel to ensure contamination is minimized. This increased risk of infection in females results from their significantly shorter urethra . Anatomic differences are reflected in the difference in size of male and female catheters used in CIC .

How To Catheterize The Bladder In A Male Child

, MD, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

• How to Catheterize the Urethra…

Bladder catheterization can be done for diagnosis and/or treatment.

The main reason to insert a bladder catheter in male children is to

• Collect a sterile urine sample for testing in very young children who cannot void on command

Less common reasons include:

• Instillation of contrast agent for cystourethrography

• Bladder irrigation

• Monitoring of urine output in certain hospitalized patients

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Bard Urinary Foley Catheter

£5.45

Not what youre looking for? Try Rusch Aquaflate Catheters

Bard Foley Urinary Catheter MalePTFE Coated Latex, Length 48cm

Sizes are measured in CH/FR/FG, they are all the same.

• FG12 10cc balloon 124512UK

Inflate with 10ml prefilled saline Syringes must be ordered separately.

For short term use, typically one to four weeks.

These Aqua-Matic Bard Foley Urinary Catheter are surrounded in a hydrogel coating which provides lower surface friction improve patient comfort and reduces irritation.

Why are Catheters Necessary?

There are many reasons why some people cannot urinate voluntarily and require a catheter to empty their bladder. The nerve supply to your bladder could be damaged you may suffer from back problems or an enlarged prostate. Catheterisation may also be necessary after certain types of surgery, or it may be caused by a particular condition you were born with.

For more information on Urinary Catheters please see the information page on the NHS Website

We always dispatch orders within 48 hours and deliver in plain and discreet packaging. If you have any questions regarding building your own catheterisation set up, please dont hesitate to contact. A member of our team will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Urinary Decompression After Urologic Reconstruction

The role of urinary drainage via trans-anastomotic ureteral stenting or percutaneous drainage remains heavily debated with the emergence of stent-less ureteral reconstruction, specifically in pyeloplasty.37 While this debate continues for upper tract urinary decompression, urethral catheterization is seemingly ubiquitous to drain the lower urinary tract. Conventionally, the bladder is decompressed for at least 24 hours, or overnight, in instances where extravesical ureteral reimplantation is utilized unless the patient has a history of voiding or bowel dysfunction, or both. More variability is seen in intravesical ureteral reimplant as the bladder wall and mucosa are violated. Urethral catheter dwell time in these instances is based on surgeon preference.

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