Tubes and Catheters
Surgeons at Swedish Hospital may utilize a variety of tubes and catheters prior to, during, or after surgery to help manage your care. If you have any questions, please contact your surgeon.
To schedule an appointment with a surgeon, please call
773-293-8878.
General Questions About Tubes and Catheters
What is a Tube, What is a Catheter and how are They Different?
Surgeons sometimes place hollow, semi-flexible tubes of various types within the digestive/gastrointestinal (GI) tract or blood vessels. These tubes can be used to drain or collect material from within the body such as urine, as well as to deliver medications, feedings, saline or other fluids.
Generally, surgeons refer to these tubes as “catheters” when they are placed into veins or other sterile spaces. The word “tube” is more commonly used when it is utilized in the stomach, intestines or other space in your body.
If a tube or catheter is needed, your surgeon will explain its use to you.
What are the Different Types of Tubes or Catheters?
Tubes and catheters are made out of silicone or rubber and are usually named based on their uses. Most tubes allow surgeons to deliver fluid or drain fluid and other bodily material. Surgeons often refer to a tube by its job. For instance, if the tube is draining fluid it is simply referred to as a, “drain.”
Are Tubes and Catheters Reusable?
Some tubes, such as feeding tubes or IV catheters, are used repeatedly by the patient and their care team. Others, such as drains, are usually left in for a limited time and then removed. The exact length of a tube’s use is dependent upon your surgeon’s care plan.
In all cases, your surgeon will explain the use of and care for these tubes to you.
Are Tubes and Catheters Clean and Sterile?
All tubes are sterile prior to use. Their use and placement will affect their sterility following their insertion. For example, a tube used in the intestines will not remain sterile, but a catheter in a vein will usually remain clean and uninfected with proper care and use.
Some normal drainage and reaction of the surrounding tissue is expected. If you have any questions about this, please discuss it with your surgeon.
Is a Chest Tube a Catheter?
A chest tube is a tube, not a catheter. They are usually placed to drain air or fluid from the area around a lung, but there are many other reasons for a chest tube. Your surgeon will explain your specific case to you, should you need one.
Questions About Foley Catheters
What is the Difference between a Catheter and a Foley?
A Foley or urinary catheter is a urine drainage tube that is inserted through your urethra and into your bladder. The word “catheter” refers more generally to a medical tube that can be used in this way, as well as in many other situations. The Foley catheter is a commonly used device, so many people shorten the term to just “catheter” when referring to it.
Does a Foley Catheter Hurt When Inserted, Removed or in Place?
We always try to minimize pain when placing any tube or catheter and most are placed when you are under anesthesia. Some discomfort is unfortunately inevitable, because the opening where the tube or catheter comes out is stimulated by the tubing.
Removing a tube may hurt for the same reason, but the amount or extent of discomfort varies greatly depending on the kind of tube or catheter used.
Do you Always Need a Foley Catheter for Surgery?
Not all surgeries require a Foley catheter, and we try to avoid using any kind of tube or catheter unless truly necessary.
While most people are able to easily pee after surgery, some people may need a Foley catheter due to pain and swelling from the procedure. In this case, you may need to have a catheter inserted. It is usually removed a few days to a week later in the office.
If you get home after surgery and you cannot pee, please contact your surgeon and/or go to the emergency room.
Can You Pee With a Foley Catheter in?
Urinary catheters allow urine to flow out continuously. You cannot pee around this kind of tube and there is no need to. Your bladder will drain without any need for effort.
Some people may feel the sensation that they need to pee when they have a Foley catheter. This is because there is a balloon at the tip of the catheter that holds it in the bladder that may push on the bladder wall. If this happens, you can relax and pretend to pee. Your tube will continue to do the job for you.
Contact Us
For more information and to schedule an appointment with a surgeon, please call
773-293-8878.
