Problem removing male cath

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Specializes in LTC, CCU, Home Health.

I have a male with no dx of BPH but when attempting to remove F/C yesterday it would not come out. This is in home health and I have to try again today after the wife deflates the bulb for a couple of hours (she says this works) and Yes I completely emptied the bulb even tried position changes and gave him time to relax between attempts. Any suggestions? Is there a trick I've not heard of? Please excuse my spell check isn't working yet and I was wanting some quick imput. Thanks!

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Try having him cough as you're tugging gently.

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This won't help for today, but on tough guys use the lube in the kit by instilling a small amount (maybe 5 mL) into the meatus. This makes everything just so much smoother.

Taught to me by an RN who formerly worked in a urologist's office.

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

i've had difficulty before, and just cut the catheter. sometimes the balloon doesn't empty all the way, but it will if you cut the cath. it will just run out the end, so place a towel underneath him. the catheter should slide out assuming all is well. what goes in must come out, right? ;)

of course, YMMV.

good luck!

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This won't help for today, but on tough guys use the lube in the kit by instilling a small amount (maybe 5 mL) into the meatus. This makes everything just so much smoother.

Taught to me by an RN who formerly worked in a urologist's office.

Eh? To REMOVE a cath? Who keeps the lube after inserting a cath?

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Originally Posted by mauxtav8r viewpost.gif

This won't help for today, but on tough guys use the lube in the kit by instilling a small amount (maybe 5 mL) into the meatus. This makes everything just so much smoother.

Eh? To REMOVE a cath? Who keeps the lube after inserting a cath?
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Originally Posted by mauxtav8r viewpost.gif

This won't help for today, but on tough guys use the lube in the kit by instilling a small amount (maybe 5 mL) into the meatus. This makes everything just so much smoother.

I saw that . . . . off topic but I use lidocaine jelly to place a cath.

Taz - I like the idea of cutting the cath, but not too close to the meatus - sometimes I've had the balloon come out partially filled even when I've withdrawn what I thought was the entire amount of air.

Good luck!!

steph

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i've had difficulty before, and just cut the catheter. sometimes the balloon doesn't empty all the way, but it will if you cut the cath. it will just run out the end, so place a towel underneath him. the catheter should slide out assuming all is well. what goes in must come out, right? ;)

of course, YMMV.

good luck!

Cutting the catheter is a POOR idea. If the catheter doesn't just slip out after that or the balloon doesn't deflate there would be nothing to keep the whole catheter from slipping into the bladder causing need for cysto to remove catheter. Have had urologist suggest putting guide wire into cath with end cut off. DON'T DO THAT EITHER!!! If it won't come out in usual way maybe he has to go to urologist office. Better that than either of the two above scenerios.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

I believe that leslasic was saying to cut the cath where you put in the water, NOT where the urine flows out! You know where it makes a "Y". Maybe I am wrong, but I think that is what leslasic meant.

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Cutting the catheter is a POOR idea. If the catheter doesn't just slip out after that or the balloon doesn't deflate there would be nothing to keep the whole catheter from slipping into the bladder causing need for cysto to remove catheter. Have had urologist suggest putting guide wire into cath with end cut off. DON'T DO THAT EITHER!!! If it won't come out in usual way maybe he has to go to urologist office. Better that than either of the two above scenerios.

That is why I mentioned not cutting it close to the meatus but where you place the H2O - my first thought was it might just retreat up into the urethra. :uhoh3:

I might get a uro consult . . .

steph

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

Don't cut the catheter. I know a lot of people empty the balloon this way to save time if they don't have a syringe but there is no way of knowing how much of the balloon has drained. Also, once the tubing has been cut there is no way to get any more fluid out. They've had to be removed by cystoscopy before and, believe me, the urologist was not a happy camper.

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Maybe the catheter has adhered to something, like the badder, etc.

I would contact the doctor.

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