The bladder is an organ of the urinary system designed to store urine and excrete it. Bladder lavage is a procedure that is performed for people suffering from constant retention of urine or pus, as well as inflammation of the mucous membrane of this organ (cystitis).
Indications for rinsing
- patients suffering from inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract;
- people who are unable to defecate on their own;
- in the presence of damage to the mucous membrane of the bladder;
- before cystoscopy;
- to eliminate congestion that was caused by stones in the organ cavity, neoplasms;
- before introducing medications into it;
- to remove blood from the cavity before conducting an examination;
- in order to determine the capacity of the organ;
- after long-term use of medications that negatively affected the mucous membranes of the urinary system.
Contraindications to the procedure
Flushing is prohibited for patients who have the following problems:
- urethral injuries;
- acute inflammatory processes of the urethra;
- venereal diseases;
- damage to the bladder sphincter.
Congestion and inflammatory diseases in this organ can appear not only due to diseases of the urinary system, but also due to other infectious diseases (influenza, sinusitis, E. coli, staphylococcus). In this case, bacteria penetrate into the organ cavity along with the blood. In addition, the bladder is directly connected to the gastrointestinal tract, so cystitis can be a consequence of intestinal inflammation. Other causes of cystitis include infectious diseases of the genital organs and hypothermia.
Preparation for the procedure
Such a complex medical procedure should only be performed by specialists in a hospital setting. Washing at home is not recommended because:
- Self-medication is always dangerous to health. First, you need to consult with a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis, because it may well turn out that if the patient has a disease, this procedure is contraindicated.
- In the hospital, washing is carried out under absolutely sterile conditions; at home, the risk of infection is much higher.
- In women, the urethra is short and wide, so the tube can be inserted easily. In men, the urethra is not only long, but also has several narrowings. Without knowing all the nuances of this manipulation, you can injure the urinary system.
- If you choose the wrong proportions of the solution to be used for rinsing, a burn to the mucous membrane may occur.
Before carrying out this process, you need to prepare all the necessary tools and equipment. For this you will need:
- Furacilin solution;
- tray;
- oilcloth;
- an appropriately sized Foley catheter;
- gloves, napkins, cotton wool;
- antiseptic solution, which must be warmed to body temperature;
- syringe.
At the initial stage, the volume of the bladder is determined. To do this, simply measure the amount of urine that is released during one urination.
Procedure technique
There are several washing techniques:
Through a cystostomy. This is a tube that is inserted into the cavity of the bladder through an opening in the abdomen.
Indications for its installation:
- acute phase of prostatitis;
- the presence of benign prostate formations;
- urethral injuries;
- if surgical interventions were performed that affected the urethra;
- postpartum complications in women.
The algorithm for flushing the bladder if a person has a cystostomy is as follows: the person is placed on his back, an oilcloth and diaper are placed around the stoma or under the patient, and a tray is placed to collect the escaping fluid. Then the specialist, using a syringe, slowly injects a warm antiseptic solution (150-200 ml) into the tube, removes the syringe and drains the rinsing water. The procedure is repeated until the flowing liquid becomes clear. Next, a urinal is attached to the tube, which is tied to the patient’s thigh or to the bed.
Through a Foley catheter. Catheterization is a procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the bladder to drain urine, flush it, or administer medication.
The algorithm for flushing through the catheter is as follows:
It is a little more difficult for a man to rinse. The procedure is carried out in a standing position. The head of the penis must first be treated with an antiseptic. Vaseline oil is then applied to the end of the catheter. With the left hand, the specialist holds the penis forward, and with the right hand, carefully inserts the tube using tweezers. When he reaches the place where the urinary canal narrows, the man must take several deep breaths. The penile muscles will relax and the tube will pass through the area more easily. If spasms occur, further administration should be temporarily suspended. When the tension subsides, the procedure is continued until the first drops of urine appear.
A solution is slowly injected into the free end of the catheter using a syringe, then the syringe is removed and Esmarch's mug is placed. Rinsing is carried out until clear liquid appears. Sometimes a metal catheter must be used for this procedure in men. It is used in the presence of pathological changes in the urethra (prostate adenoma, etc.).
If a patient is discharged home with a catheterized bladder, the patient or his relatives must take care of the catheter.
The urinary catheter needs to be flushed daily. To do this, use a syringe with a volume of 50 or 100 ml, disconnect the tube from the urinal and treat the end with an antiseptic, insert the syringe and slowly inject the solution. Then it is removed and the liquid is allowed to drain out. If necessary, these steps are repeated several times.
Drugs
For flushing, doctors widely use the following drugs:
When preparing solutions from these drugs, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the proportions specified in the instructions for use. Otherwise, a bladder burn will be added to the existing problems of the urinary system.
In addition, distilled water, a solution of Penicillin, Furacilin, silver nitrate and boric acid can be used for rinsing.
Possible complications
After an operation during which a cystostomy was installed, a number of complications may occur:
- the occurrence of allergic reactions to the material from which the tube was made;
- the appearance of inflammatory and purulent processes at the incision site;
- intestinal injury;
- bladder infection.
Complications after catheterization:
- Formation of a false tract during perforation of the urethral wall. If a rigid catheter is used for the procedure and sudden and rough movements are made during the procedure, then a false passage may appear in the urethra. The patient will experience severe pain in the genital organ and bleeding.
- Impaired renal excretory function (uremia, anuria).
- Inflammation of the epididymis. As a rule, it occurs due to a violation of sterility and infection during washing. In severe cases, it can lead to suppuration and septicemia (blood poisoning by pyogenic organisms).
- Urethral fever is a serious complication that occurs due to the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the blood through damage to the urinary canal. The patient begins to feel chills, sweating increases, and the general condition of the body worsens. To prevent fever in people with a urinary tract infection, doctors give them a course of antibiotics before catheterization.
- If the patient has stones in the bladder, they can damage the mucous membrane during the movement of fluid.
- Burn of the mucous membrane. May occur due to improper preparation of the antiseptic solution.
Bladder lavage is a procedure that can significantly improve the patient’s condition. But it is only an addition to the main therapy, the tactics of which depend on the disease. If you do not start treatment in time, for example, cystitis, then the infection can penetrate the kidneys and cause inflammatory processes, congestion, renal failure and other equally dangerous pathologies. Therefore, when the first symptoms of diseases of the urinary system appear, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, because any ailment is always easier to cure at an early stage.
Some diseases are accompanied by the accumulation of pus in the bladder cavity and congestion. The patient's condition worsens, the course of the disease becomes more severe, and inflammation intensifies.
Washing is indicated for treatment purposes in the following situations:
- infectious cystitis;
- in preparation for cystoscopy;
- after long-term drug treatment that affects the mucous membrane of the organ;
- to relieve congestion caused by tumors, stones in the cavity or other problems.
Washing the organ has a good result in many situations, except for certain contraindications:
- sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea;
- urethral damage;
- acute inflammation.
Preparation
It is advisable to carry out such medical manipulation as rinsing the bladder in a hospital setting. This manipulation differs significantly between men and women at the stage of introducing the device.
In women, the urethra has a relatively short length (up to 10 cm) and sufficient width, which makes it easy to insert a catheter. In men, the urinary canal is not only long, but has several narrowings. It is difficult to insert a catheter through it yourself.
Before the procedure, instruments and devices for manipulation are prepared. Necessary equipment for rinsing the bladder:
- furatsilin solution;
- tray;
- oilcloth;
- rubber medical catheter;
- sterile gloves;
- rinsing solution;
- sterile wipes, cotton wool;
- special syringe for 200 cc (or enema).
For your information! Any liquid that will be used for the procedure must be preheated to body temperature.
Simple rinsing can be done with distilled water, saline or boric acid solution. For medicinal purposes, more complex formulations are often used: a solution of furatsilin, protargol or penicillin.
At the stage of preparation for the procedure, the volume of the bladder should be calculated. A calculation is made based on the amount of urine that is released during one urination. Typically the volume ranges from 200 to 300 ml.
Methodology
In a hospital setting, the procedure occurs with the patient positioned on a urological chair. The patient should lie on his back. In this case, the pelvis is raised, and the legs are bent at the knees and spread apart.
Algorithm:
- The enema is secured in an elevated position if it is to be used rather than a syringe.
- The catheter is treated with furatsilin solution.
- The patient takes the required position.
- A catheter is inserted. Do this very slowly, with rotating movements, to avoid injury.
- When urine emerges from the catheter, the advancement of the device is stopped.
- Allow all the urine to drain.
- Either a syringe or an enema is connected to the catheter.
- The solution is introduced in small volumes, ¼ cup each. Its total amount should correspond to the volume of the bladder.
- When the patient has a significant urge to urinate, the fluid infusion is stopped.
- The catheter is disconnected from the enema or syringe and the urine is allowed to drain.
- Rinsings are usually carried out up to 10 times at a time. They must be done until the liquid coming out of the catheter is clear.
- ½ volume of solution is injected through the catheter - this is the final stage.
- The device is removed from the urethra.
- For half an hour the patient does not change his body position, remaining lying down.
The duration of the course of rinsing can be up to two weeks, depending on the doctor’s orders. Procedures can be daily or performed every other day.
Possible complications
The procedure causes unpleasant discomfort, but if persistent pain is felt, the procedure was performed incorrectly. In this case, stop injecting the solution and allow it to flow out.
Important! Particular attention should be paid to asepsis, especially in cases where washing is done at home.
Complications that may occur include:
|
Complications and features |
Reaction/actions |
Notes |
| Bleeding | Termination of the procedure, taking urgent measures | |
| Difficulty inserting a catheter due to urinary tract spasms | The patient should try to relax and take several deep breaths. After relaxation, administration is continued. | Most often observed in men, since the length of the urethra can reach 0.25 m |
| Unpleasant sensations from contact of the catheter with the walls of the mouth |
The catheter should be moved slightly | |
|
The solution does not flow out | It is possible that the catheter opening is blocked by mucus. The instrument is washed with a special solution. | |
| Injury to the bladder due to stones dislodged during the procedure |
Symptomatic treatment | |
|
Burn of mucous membrane | This may be the result of an incorrectly selected rinsing solution. | |
| Trauma to the urethra with instruments | As a result of incorrect procedure | |
| Infection in the bladder | As a result of insufficient disinfection of instruments |
Washing at home: pros and cons
Measures of a therapeutic and preventive nature should be carried out only as prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous to health.
Carrying out the manipulation yourself can lead to mechanical damage and other dangerous situations if, for example, the proportions of the solution are chosen incorrectly. It should also be taken into account that the procedure is more difficult for men than for women.
For your information! In the absence of experience in such manipulations at home, the likelihood of injury increases.
Procedure in a medical facility
Flushing the bladder is a serious medical procedure that should only be carried out by a highly qualified specialist, since with a poor approach to this procedure, the patient may receive a burn to the mucous membrane and mechanical damage to the organs of the genitourinary system. This procedure is prescribed only after examination, tests and diagnosis.
Indications for the procedure
The main indication for the procedure is severe inflammation of the bladder cavity. If the bladder is not washed in time, manifestations of cystitis in the form of inflammation can affect the intestines, which is extremely undesirable.
As a rule, such a procedure can be prescribed only in the last stages of the disease. The fact is that the mucous membrane of the bladder itself is very resistant to pathogens, and simply getting an infection into the bladder will not affect the development of the disease. However, with additional damage, the infection begins to spread rapidly.
Damage to the bladder mucosa by foreign bodies (urinary stones) is also considered an indication for lavage. Remember that an incorrectly performed procedure that led to a burn of the mucous membrane of the bladder is also an indication for rinsing.
Technique of the procedure
The procedure is performed using a catheter. An Esmarch mug, distilled water, a tripod and a catheter are prepared. Instead of a mug, a syringe is sometimes used. For cystitis, a simple rinse is usually prescribed. In cases of working with advanced stages of the disease, medicinal irrigation with drugs is mandatory.
At the first stage, a catheter is inserted. After this, it is slowly moved forward until urine comes out of it. The presence of urine in this case is a sure sign that the catheter was inserted correctly and there is no reason for concern. This is followed by waiting until the urinary fluid is completely released from the catheter.
The next step is to inject the medicine into the bladder cavity. The procedure is performed using a syringe attached to a catheter. The amount of fluid that will be introduced into the bladder always depends solely on the individual characteristics of the patient. As soon as he has a desire to empty his bladder, the administration of the medicine stops. The syringe is then disconnected from the catheter and the fluid is released through it. The whole set of actions is repeated from 8 to 12 times, using about 2 liters of liquid at a time.
It may happen that when urinary fluid and medication are washed away, the catheter becomes clogged with mucous or purulent masses. In this case, the outflow of liquid stops completely, and the device is washed with a special solution.
It should be noted that the procedure for men and women is somewhat different due to the anatomical differences of the genitourinary system.
Washing in women
Washing the bladder of women is much easier, since the length of the urethra is shorter and it is wider. For this reason, inserting a catheter is practically no difficulty, which cannot be said about the opposite field.
Washing for men
The main problem with this procedure in men is the length of the urethra. The fact is that it has a significant length and a relatively small diameter. Among other things, there are anatomical narrowings that complicate the process of inserting a catheter.
In the case of men, the catheter is lubricated with Vaseline and inserted very slowly (if necessary, perform rotational movements). In places of narrowing, the man is asked to take several deep breaths (this relaxes the muscles), after which the catheter is inserted.
You should be aware that spasm may occur when the catheter is inserted. In this case, this process temporarily stops while waiting for the muscles to relax. After complete relaxation, insertion is continued until the first drops of urinary fluid appear from the catheter.
At home
For cystitis, you can also use a home method of rinsing the bladder. However, it is much less effective than medication. It is practically no different from medication. The only significant difference between the medicinal and home procedures is that in the first case it is carried out by a qualified specialist who has at least minimal experience, and in the second - by a person who may not even have minimal medical education.
Due to the possible occurrence of serious complications of illness and injury to the genitourinary system, this procedure should not be performed at home. The most precious thing in our life is health. It is necessary to take care of it and immediately seek medical help at the first symptoms.
Alternative rinsing methods
Flushing the bladder with a cystotome differs in that a catheter is not used. This procedure is prescribed if the urinary canal is damaged or inflamed, or the urethra is deformed in any way. The algorithm for carrying out such a procedure differs in that the fluid is introduced and drained through a cystotome. The device is installed using a trocar method directly to the bladder. The procedure is repeated until the solution coming out of the tube becomes clear.
It should be remembered that this method may involve prolonged exposure. In this case, the patient runs the risk of completely losing the ability to urinate normally. To prevent this from happening, you must constantly drink liquid and try to independently control the process of urination. Flushing the bladder is carried out using the same drugs as in alternative methods of the procedure.
Permanent or temporary urinary catheter
The use of catheters, depending on the situation, can be either temporary (if necessary) or permanent. The constant use of a urinary catheter is necessary for chronic diseases that cannot be radically cured with medications or surgery. Often these are neurological patients. While women often have a Foley catheter installed in the urethra, this option is not acceptable for men. Why? Yes, for the reason that the male urethra communicates not only with the bladder, but also with the prostate, testicles, and seminal vesicles. And a foreign body in the urethra will sooner or later lead to complications, such as acute prostatitis or epididymitis... That is why a permanent urinary catheter is more often used in women, and in men it is also used, but after an operation - epicystostomy with the formation of a suprapubic vesical fistula. It is into this fistula that a permanent urinary catheter is installed in men. In this embodiment, it is practically safe and does not cause complications.
When to combine a catheter with a urine bag?
The constant use of a catheter for urine drainage forces us to solve the problem of urine collection. After all, with a permanent catheter, the patient is not always bedridden. Many lead relatively active lifestyles. The most practical option is to use a catheter with a urine bag. The urine bag is a plastic bag with a tube for collecting urine, which is connected to a catheter and a second tube with a valve to drain accumulated urine. A catheter with a urinal is used both in the option of urinary diversion through a catheter in the urethra and through a suprapubic fistula.
Flushing the bladder through a urinary catheter
After discharge from the hospital, the relatives of the patient with a catheter are left alone with this problem. And many simply do not know how to properly flush the bladder through a urinary catheter. You should adhere to the following rules:
- Rinse the urinary catheter at least 1 time a day, preferably 2 times (if necessary, you can rinse the bladder through a urinary catheter 5 or even 10 times a day);
- Before rinsing, be sure to disconnect the urinal and tubes extending the catheter. Flush the bladder directly through the catheter;
- Use special solutions to rinse the bladder. It is strictly not recommended to rinse with plain water because... this will inevitably lead to the development of inflammation in the bladder and may result in the development of acute ascending pyelonephritis;
How to rinse a urinary catheter?
When a patient is discharged from a urology hospital, the attending physician recommends specific rinsing solutions. But if you don’t know how to flush the urinary catheter, first carefully study the recommendations in the discharge summary that the patient received upon discharge from the hospital. There, the attending physician is simply obliged to indicate how and with what to rinse the bladder through the catheter. For the last 30-40 years, urologists have recommended flushing the catheter to remove urine with a solution of furacillin 1:5000. But the high resistance of urinary infections to this solution forced doctors over time to abandon furacillin in favor of a solution of potassium permanganate or the more modern Betadine and Vokadin.
Do you know how to properly insert a catheter into the bladder?
It must be admitted that relatives of patients with a catheter do not always invite medical specialists to replace the catheter and change it themselves. If the procedure for replacing the Foley and especially Petzer catheter is entrusted to a urologist, then they dare to insert the catheter into the woman’s bladder themselves. In such situations, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Before catheterization, it is necessary to treat the area of the external urethral opening with an antiseptic;
- Wash your hands thoroughly twice with soap and treat them with alcohol;
- When inserting the catheter, hold it with sterile tweezers. Otherwise, you will get an infection in the bladder;
- It is advisable to use a special Zhanne syringe or a disposable alternative with a volume of 60–150 ml for rinsing.
Although it may seem difficult to insert a catheter into the bladder at first glance, we urge you to entrust this procedure to qualified medical professionals. Remember that improper catheterization can injure the bladder or urethra, which will ultimately result in emergency surgery.
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Flushing the bladder through a catheter is prescribed only by a highly qualified doctor for the following indications:
- patients who are unable to defecate on their own;
- people suffering from inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract;
- patients who have been taking medications for a long period of time that have a negative effect on the mucous membranes;
- before conducting a study to remove blood from the bladder cavity;
- to determine the capacity of the organ;
- cystitis;
- stagnation of pus;
- before introducing medications into the bladder;
- for urolithiasis and diagnosis of various types of neoplasms in the event of congestion;
- before cystoscopy.
Flushing the bladder through a catheter is prescribed for people who have been taking medications for a long period of time.
If a person is diagnosed with at least one of the diseases listed above, the person must undergo a procedure for washing the organ. These manipulations are considered quite serious and it is best if it is performed by a qualified specialist, only in this case can numerous deviations be avoided. But if the procedure still needs to be carried out at home, then you need to prepare for this especially carefully.
Before a person with cystitis is prescribed a bladder lavage, he undergoes the necessary examination. This is necessary primarily in order to exclude various kinds of complications. This procedure is strictly prohibited for patients who have the following health problems:
- there are various types of injuries to the urinary canal;
- acute inflammatory processes of the urethra are diagnosed;
- sphincter damage is observed;
- Various types of sexually transmitted diseases are detected.
Bladder lavage is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure performed by an experienced nurse
If a person is diagnosed with at least one pathology from all of the above, then washing is strictly prohibited. Such measures are primarily necessary in order not to aggravate the situation and not lead to the development of serious and irreparable complications.
Since flushing the bladder is considered a fairly serious procedure, it is, of course, best to carry it out in a hospital setting, but unfortunately this is not always possible. It is not recommended to carry out such procedures at home for the following reasons:
- Any self-medication can negatively affect your health, and rinsing the bladder is no exception. It is very important that before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications to its implementation, and this can only be done after undergoing certain examinations in a hospital setting;
- the solution should be selected especially carefully and professionally, since even the slightest error can lead to a burn of the organ mucosa;
- before carrying out the procedure, you should carefully study all the nuances of this procedure, since if the catheter is inserted incorrectly, there is a risk of injury to the urinary system;
- When carrying out the procedure at home, there is a risk of infection, but in a hospital setting, all manipulations are carried out in perfectly sterile conditions.
If you decide to wash your bladder at home, you should carefully prepare for this process and purchase all the necessary materials and tools. You won’t be able to wash the organ yourself, so you need to enlist the support of loved ones.
How to properly rinse the bladder at home and what you need for this - only your doctor can tell you about this
Your doctor will tell you how to properly rinse your bladder at home and what you need to do this. To carry out this procedure, you need to purchase the following drugs and products:
- Foley catheter, which is the size recommended by the doctor;
- syringe;
- tray and oilcloth;
- cotton wool, gloves and napkins;
- antiseptic solution;
- Furacilin solution.
Rinsing the bladder in this way is carried out once every two days or, if necessary, then once a day.
As already mentioned, to flush the bladder, a person should first of all purchase certain products and preparations. Once everything you need has been purchased, you can proceed directly to washing.
Note! Before flushing the bladder, it is very important to measure its volume in advance; this requires determining the amount of urine after urination.
It is strictly forbidden to use alcohol to flush the bladder. This is explained, first of all, by the fact that, in addition to alcohol, it also contains certain additives that can have a negative effect on bladder tissue and significantly aggravate all inflammatory processes.
Washing the organ should be carried out according to the following principle:
- a person needs to lie on his back and at the same time spread his legs as wide as possible and bend them at the knee joint;
- The genitals must be treated with an antiseptic. This is necessary primarily in order to prevent infection;
- after this, you need to carefully insert the catheter into the urethra and slowly move it into the bladder;
- As soon as urine is released, the insertion of the catheter should be suspended;
- during this process, it is strictly forbidden to abruptly remove the catheter or jerk it, since any even minor careless actions can lead to various types of injuries in the bladder;
- after inserting the catheter, you need to draw a medicinal solution into a syringe, which should be pre-diluted;
- as soon as the medicine is drawn into the syringe, it must be connected to the catheter;
- the medicine should be administered very slowly, at least over several minutes;
- after administering the medicine, it will immediately begin to flow back from the bladder and as soon as all the fluid from the organ has flowed out, the administration of the medicine will need to be repeated.
An antiseptic solution is injected into the main organ of the urinary system using special instruments.
The drug should be injected into the bladder at least eight times, and to be more precise, until the excreted urine becomes crystal clear and clean. After all procedures, the catheter should be carefully removed from the bladder, and the genitals should be treated with an antiseptic again.
In some cases, what happens is that the catheter becomes clogged with mucus. In this case, the washing liquid does not flow out of the person. To solve this problem, you should use a special liquid to dissolve and eliminate mucus. Thus, this problem can be resolved immediately.
After flushing the bladder, the patient is strictly forbidden to get out of bed for thirty minutes, and subsequently lift heavy objects and engage in physical exercise.
If the patient feels pain while flushing the bladder, this primarily indicates that the bladder is being stretched. In such a situation, it is necessary to reduce the amount of fluid administered. But if signs of bleeding appear, the procedure should be stopped immediately and seek help from a highly qualified doctor.
A person will not be able to carry out the washing procedure on his own, so he will need the understanding and help of loved ones.
The bladder is supplied with a large number of nerve endings. When it fills, they become irritated and the person feels the urge to urinate. If the functionality of the organ is impaired, the muscle tone of the walls decreases, as a result of which the body is not able to warn that it is necessary to visit the toilet. And vice versa - excessive irritation of nerve endings, which is typical for inflammatory processes, causes very frequent urges, and urination, at the same time, becomes painful and unpleasant.
If there are bladder problems, a catheterization procedure may be necessary.
Catheterization is designed to eliminate these phenomena. The method involves inserting a special tube into the urethra with a reservoir connected to it to collect urine. This design temporarily takes on the function of timely evacuation of urine from the bladder, thereby preventing the development of the negative processes described above.
Flushing this organ with a catheter is prescribed in the following cases:
| Pathology and cases | Description |
| Patient's inability to control urination | This may be spontaneous leakage of urine or, conversely, acute retention. This situation is typical, for example, for paralyzed patients or patients in a comatose state. |
| Before performing a cytoscopy | Cytoscopy is a modern research method that allows you to study the internal structure of the bladder and, accordingly, detect the presence of pathological changes. For the procedure to be carried out efficiently, the organ must be completely clean of urine - this is why catheterization is needed. |
| Damaged bladder mucosa | Damage to organ tissue can be caused by various factors. As a rule, this leads to hyperactivity of nerve endings, as well as a significant decrease in wall tone. Normal urination is impossible in this case. |
| Before administering medicinal solutions | The effectiveness of drug therapy increases if the medicine is immediately delivered directly to the affected organ. Catheterization in this case allows you to get rid of all the urine present in the organ, thereby improving the absorption of the drug by its walls. |
| Inflammation of the tissues of the bladder and urinary tract | Inflammatory processes, which are caused primarily as a result of an infectious lesion of the urinary system, cause tissue irritation, as well as swelling, which narrows the lumen of urine. In this case, catheterization is extremely necessary. |
Problems with normal urine output provoke many pathologies and diseases. This could be inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), urolithiasis, inflammatory processes in the intestines, nephritis, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, even flu or sinusitis. Very often, catheterization is prescribed to patients suffering from cystitis. Moreover, this procedure is equally relevant for both women and men.
The task facing catheterization is the timely ridding of the bladder and urinary tract from urine, as well as pus (if infectious and inflammatory processes are present). Despite the usefulness of the procedure, sometimes it can be contraindicated. This is relevant for patients:
- syphilis, gonorrhea and other severe genitourinary infections;
- inflammation of the urinary tract in a severe stage;
- spasmodic manifestations of the sphincter or its pathological narrowing;
- traumatization of the genital organs, both external and internal.
In all of the above cases, catheterization will only worsen the patient's condition. Therefore, other methods will be used to evacuate urine.
In a hospital setting, the problem of how to flush the bladder catheter is solved by medical personnel, in particular nurses. This is their concern, which is of little concern to both the patient’s relatives and himself. However, there are often cases when the patient is discharged home with a catheter. Here you already need to think about how to properly care for such a patient. This task falls on the shoulders of relatives - wife, husband, parents, children, etc.
Flushing the catheter is a very important requirement. Regular cleaning will promptly remove deposited salts and other sediments from the tube that could clog the system. Thanks to this, it is possible to minimize the risk of bacterial infection.
The catheter must be flushed daily
In stagnant urine, pathogenic microorganisms develop very quickly and just as quickly penetrate the bladder, causing inflammation.
The catheter must be flushed daily. In the simplest cases, ordinary saline solution will be enough, only it needs to be slightly warmed up first. A temperature that is pleasant for the body will relieve the patient of discomfort during a specific procedure.
It is also important to determine the volume of the bladder. To do this, you need to wait until the organ is completely filled with urine, and then measure the volume of urine excreted. A similar volume of cleaning agent will need to be used.
It is necessary to measure the volume of the bladder
It’s another matter if the patient has suffered from a complex disease, as a result of which various flakes, salt sediment and other foreign impurities are still released along with the urine. In this case, you will need to prepare a more complex, but at the same time effective means for flushing the catheter.
Here's what you can use:
- boric acid (2 or 3 percent solution);
- potassium permanganate (diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10,000);
- miramistin;
- chlorhexidine solution (2 percent);
- dioxidine (diluted in water in proportions 1:40);
- furatsilin solution (1:5000).
According to reviews from patients, their relatives, and doctors, the best option for flushing the urine excretion system at home is furatsilin. You can prepare the necessary solution yourself, or simply buy it at the pharmacy. The product is characterized by significant prevalence, is easy to use, has no contraindications and, moreover, has an acceptable price in all respects.
Prepare a solution of Furacilin
Here's how to prepare a solution of furatsilin at home:
- take two or three tablets;
- grind them into powder;
- add approximately 400-500 ml of water (preferably boiled or, even better, distilled);
- To get rid of undissolved small crystals, the resulting mixture is passed through gauze several times.
Bladder lavage is a procedure that allows you to cleanse the organ of stagnant urine or pus accumulated in it.
Bladder
The need for rinsing most often occurs when inflammatory processes occur.
Stagnation of urine and accumulation of pus in the bladder leads to serious complications that significantly worsen a person’s health, and therefore doctors carry out mandatory catheterization with further lavage of the bladder.
Stagnation of urine can be caused by stones in the urinary system, prostate adenoma, stricture of the urethra, paralysis, and bladder paresis.
Catheterization is needed for patients who are unable to independently control and carry out the process of urine excretion, for example, when a person is in a coma.
Cystitis
Inflammatory processes force in most cases to wash the bladder.
Cystitis is an inflammatory disease that does not develop immediately after infection penetrates the organ, but only in the presence of an additional favorable factor, which can be:
- tonsillitis;
- sinusitis;
- staphylococcus;
- flu;
- coli;
- other infectious diseases.
The need to flush the bladder through the use of a catheter is the prolonged use of medications that provoke changes in the mucous membrane of the organ.
Improper rinsing of the bladder when cystitis is detected can lead to burn injury to the mucosa, so doctors have to carry out repeated therapeutic lavages, during which the mucous membrane is irrigated with medications that help speed up the healing process.
When urinary stones move, they cause mechanical injury to the bladder, causing inflammation.
Unfortunately, the flushing procedure has some contraindications that make the process of flushing the bladder impossible, both at home and in the clinic.
Acute inflammation of the urethra, gonorrhea, injury to the urinary sphincter are diseases in which it is impossible to perform cleansing actions.
Technique
As soon as there is a need to flush the bladder through a special catheter, you should additionally prepare an Esmarch mug and a tripod (you can use a syringe instead of a mug).
If a patient with cystitis needs ordinary cleansing rinses, use distilled water.
If undesirable processes are observed, then washing is accompanied by mandatory medicinal irrigation. Dissolved drugs are administered through the catheter.
Bladder lavage
Esmarch's mug is mounted on a tripod at a height of about half a meter from the patient.
Initially, the urethra is washed, after which the catheter, washed with furatsilin, is slowly moved forward until urinary fluid begins to come out of it.
The passage of urine is considered a sure sign that the catheter has penetrated the bladder. In this case, all urine is allowed to pass out calmly.
Appearance of the catheter
Stop the infusion as soon as the patient feels a strong desire to empty the bladder. The syringe is disconnected, and the accumulated liquid is allowed to flow out again through the installed catheter.
When carrying out such a procedure, the catheter may become clogged with mucous masses. As soon as it is discovered that the outflow has stopped, the bladder catheter should be flushed with a special product.
Cleaning procedures are carried out several times, ensuring that the liquid coming out of it becomes absolutely clean.
In most cases, it is necessary to carry out from eight to twelve such repetitions, using up to two liters of medicinal liquid for each procedure.
Features of the event
It is not difficult to catheterize the bladder in women, even at home, because the urethra has a very short length.
And flushing with a catheter in men causes a number of difficulties, because the length of the urethra reaches 25 cm, in addition, it has several narrowings.
Before flushing a man, the rubber catheter is lubricated with Vaseline and very slowly begins to move forward in the urethra. If necessary, make rotational movements.
In places where anatomical narrowing of the urethra is noted, the man must take several deep breaths, which helps relax the muscles and facilitates the process of moving the catheter further.
If an unexpected spasm occurs, catheter advancement is temporarily stopped. After relaxation, continue to deepen the catheter until the first drops of urine appear.
Unfortunately, sometimes you have to resort to using a metal catheter to flush the bladder. This need arises with certain pathological changes in the male body (prostate adenoma, urethral stricture).
When using such a catheter, it is prohibited to make rotational movements to avoid mechanical damage to the walls of the bladder.
Complications
The purpose of catheterization and lavage is to relieve negative symptoms characteristic of cystitis and other diseases of the urinary system.
Despite this, sometimes organs become infected, which leads to new pathological phenomena that develop into urethritis, cystitis, and pyelonephritis.
Catheterization
Such complications are possible only in cases where the process of washing the bladder, even with the use of furatsilin, was carried out in violation of the rules of antiseptics.
This option is also possible with non-professional use of a metal catheter.
Before washing, the patient must be diagnosed in order to establish the individual structural features of the urinary system.
If the diagnosis was carried out formally, then the doctor performing the lavage may not be aware of the narrowing of the urethra characteristic of a given patient, thereby causing injury to the mucous membrane of the organ.
The appearance of signs of hematuria is a warning that the mucous membrane is damaged, and accordingly, rinsing is stopped.
A sudden increase in temperature indicates infection of the organ and insufficient antiseptic measures.
Many bladder diseases are accompanied by congestion. This complicates the course of the pathological process, provokes additional irritation of the walls of the organ and their inflammation. In such cases, washing the bladder has a good therapeutic effect. This procedure promotes accelerated elimination of metabolic products. In addition, it becomes possible to treat the inflamed walls of the bladder with an antiseptic solution, which leads to relief of the patient’s condition.
Indications for the procedure
The main indication for bladder rinsing is acute inflammation, accompanied by impaired urine outflow. In urology, this technique is most often used for cystitis. This disease is typically associated with a secondary infectious process. However, it does not develop instantly, but only under the influence of certain factors. It could be:
- tonsillitis;
- staphylococcus;
- sinusitis;
- flu.
In addition, bladder lavage is recommended for paralysis of the body. The procedure must also be used before diagnosing pathologies of the organs of the excretory system. Also among the indications it is worth noting the long-term use of certain medications.
Possible contraindications
Only a doctor can prescribe such a procedure if there are appropriate indications. The specialist must take into account the patient’s health condition. After all, rinsing the bladder does not always give a positive therapeutic effect. In what cases is intervention contraindicated?
- Injuries and mechanical damage to the organs of the excretory system.
- Blocking of the urethra with a calculus.
- The presence of neoplasms, including benign ones, in the bladder.
- Prostatitis in acute form.
- Spasm
- Some sexually transmitted diseases.
These are not all contraindications. Therefore, it is worth mentioning once again about the need for preliminary consultation with a doctor and a diagnostic examination.
Preliminary preparation
Before prescribing manipulations, it is imperative to check the patient’s excretory system. This is done to assess bladder capacity. The volume of the organ can be measured by estimating the amount of urine released during one act of urination. The use of medications during this procedure is not recommended. Their help should be resorted to only if there is purulent secretion in the urethra.
Psychological preparation of the patient is carried out by a doctor. The specialist should explain the algorithm for flushing the bladder and tell what materials and medications are used. The patient should not have any fears or questions related to future intervention.
Materials used
Bladder lavage is carried out stationary and only with the use of special instruments:
Which medicine should I choose?
The basis of solutions for washing the bladder is selected taking into account the disease that caused congestion. In the vast majority of cases, Furacilin is used. Sometimes doctors insist on using Penicillin or Collargol. These medications help fight the infection. The substances included in the composition prevent further division of pathogenic elements.
For preventive rinsing, plain water or boric acid (2%) is used. The solutions must first be warmed to room temperature. It is prohibited to use cold liquids. This can provoke spasm, resulting in additional injuries to the organ.
Algorithm for the procedure
To carry out the procedure, it is necessary to follow a clear algorithm of actions. First, let's look at how to flush the bladder through a catheter.
The patient should lie down in the most comfortable position for the manipulation. Doctors usually suggest sitting on a couch. The patient lies on his back, bends his knees and spreads them, slightly lifting the pelvis.
The specialist attaches the syringe or Esmarch device to a tripod. In relation to the patient, they are located at a height of approximately 0.5 m. Initially, the anterior area of the urethra is washed. For this purpose, a catheter is installed in the urethra and smoothly advanced until the outflow of urine begins. This sign indicates that he has reached the “final point”. After this, the doctor waits until the entire bladder is completely emptied.
At the next stage, a syringe is attached to the catheter, and a medicinal solution is pumped into the organ. The most common choice is to wash the bladder with Furacilin. It is filled until the patient feels the urge to urinate. After this, the syringe is removed. Spontaneous outflow of previously administered fluid occurs through the catheter. At this point the procedure can be considered complete. To obtain a lasting therapeutic effect, the patient must remain in a supine position for about 30 minutes.
Flushing the bladder through a cystostomy
A cystostomy is another device that is also used to flush the bladder. However, the algorithm of actions is somewhat different from that with the use of a catheter. In this case, the outflow of fluid occurs through the abdominal cavity. Using a cystostomy, flushing the bladder is recommended for those patients for whom it is impossible to insert a catheter due to injury or damage to the urethra.
This device is usually installed for a long time. The tube is replaced once a month or more often. The organ cavity is washed using antiseptics or medications. The procedure is repeated several times until the solution finally becomes clear. A special drainage bag is used to drain fluid. It is usually installed just below the level of the bladder. After washing is completed, the skin around the cystostomy is treated and a bandage is applied.
Features of washing at home
Before starting any treatment, consultation with your doctor is necessary. Despite the apparent simplicity of washing, this procedure is sometimes accompanied by certain difficulties.
It is worth noting that the situation is easiest with the female body from a technical point of view. After all, the urethra has a small length. For men, the procedure is fraught with some difficulties. For example, the length of the urethra is already about 25 cm, it has several narrowings. In this case, all manipulations should be carried out with extreme caution and skill.
First, the catheter must be lubricated with Vaseline. It should be moved very smoothly, making rotational movements. In places where anatomical narrowings are present, the man should be asked to take 4-5 deep breaths. This way you can avoid severe pain and relax the muscles. If a spasm occurs, it is recommended to stop the procedure immediately. After relaxing the body, you can begin manipulation again. The catheter continues to be deepened until the first drops of urine come out.
Sometimes you have to resort to using a metal tool. The need to use this type of catheter is due to pathological changes in the male body. We are talking about diseases such as prostate adenoma and urethral stricture. Rotational movements with a metal catheter are prohibited, as the risk of mechanical damage to the walls of the organs increases.
Complications after manipulations
Flushing the bladder should not be accompanied by severe pain. The appearance of discomfort usually indicates an illiterate procedure or excessive stretching of the organ. In such a situation, it is necessary to stop all manipulations and allow the liquid to come out calmly. In what other cases should rinsing be suspended?
- Urethral spasm or difficulty inserting a catheter.
- Bleeding.
- Incorrect selection of the drug, as a result, burns the mucous membrane.
- Infection of the bladder due to insufficient aseptic processing of instruments.
If the solution does not flow back, this indicates a blockage in the catheter tubes. The cause of this problem is mucus. To dissolve it and continue all manipulations, it is necessary to rinse the catheter with a special product.
In order to prevent these complications, it is better to perform the procedure in a hospital setting and under the constant supervision of a doctor.
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Penetration of infection into the bladder cavity requires a comprehensive examination and modern treatment in a specialized institution. In special cases, rinsing the bladder is required. For hemorrhagic cystitis and other complicated forms of the disease, the procedure will speed up recovery, eliminate pain and improve urine excretion.
Specifics of the event
A serious procedure must be carried out by a qualified specialist. With unprofessional tactics, you can cause mechanical damage to the insides or burn mucous membranes.
The main indication for rinsing is severe inflammation, accompanied by the formation of urinary stones or bleeding.
The procedure begins with the preparation of the necessary devices: a catheter, a tripod, an Esmarch mug or a syringe. A catheter is installed in the patient’s bladder, after which it must be carefully pushed forward and wait until the urine is completely released.
The next stage is the introduction of the drug into the bladder cavity. The volume of liquid injected with a syringe depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. Irrigation continues until the patient feels the urge to go to the toilet. The bladder is emptied through the catheter after the syringe is disconnected. The treatment complex is repeated about 10 times.
Due to anatomical features, the procedure is somewhat simpler for women. The urethra of female representatives is wider and shorter, which avoids difficulties during insertion of the catheter.
In men, bladder irrigation may be more difficult. Here the urethra is much longer and smaller in diameter. Before washing, the specialist needs to lubricate the catheter with Vaseline and slowly, periodically rotating, insert it until urine appears.
Recoil procedure
In practice, it has been proven that bladder irrigation allows you to achieve:
- resistance to bacterial growth in the bladder cavity:
- complete cleansing of the mucous cavity from mucus, pus and blood;
- reducing the course of taking antibacterial drugs.
For a speedy recovery, it is recommended to douching with medicinal solutions. The choice of medication depends on the nature and course of the pathological process. It is important not to administer the solution cold, so as not to provoke a spasm of the organ.
Following the rules of hygiene and precautions will allow the procedure to be completed successfully and painlessly.
