Suprapubic catheter insertion

TREATMENT

Patients who require a catheter for a long-term period may find it more comfortable to have a suprapubic catheter (SPC) inserted. The SPC is sited in the lower abdomen and passes directly into the bladder. It avoids the need to have a catheter passing through the water pipe (urethra) which may prevent certain surgical complications and many patients find uncomfortable. The catheter can either drain into a bag or you can have a valve attached to the end, which allows the bladder to fill naturally, and is simply opened to allow drainage of urine into a toilet, when required.

Like a urethral catheter an SPC is changed around every three months and this can be easily be done by a district nurse, usually in the comfort of your own home.

An SPC is inserted in the operating theatre, usually under an anaesthetic, and often with the assistance of ultrasound to guide the passage of the catheter into the bladder