What are Foley Catheters?
Foley catheters are flexible tubes that are inserted through the urethra and into the bladder to drain urine. Made out of silicone or latex, they have an inflatable balloon at the tip that is filled with sterile water once inserted to hold the catheter securely in place. Catheters come in various sizes depending on the patient’s anatomy.
Uses of Foley Catheters
Foley catheters have several important medical uses:
– Post-surgery Drainage: After many types of surgeries involving the bladder, kidneys, prostate or other parts of the urinary tract, a Foley catheter is inserted to allow urine to drain and accurately measure urinary output. This is important for monitoring a patient’s recovery.
– Urinary Retention: If a patient is unable to urinate on their own due to issues like an enlarged prostate, a Foley catheter provides an outlet for urine to drain from the bladder, preventing uncomfortable urinary retention.
Overview
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