Urethral catheterization is insertion of a flexible catheter through the urethra into the urinary bladder.
Several types of catheters are available. If a catheter cannot be inserted, suprapubic aspiration of the bladder may be necessary. (See also Bladder Catheterization, How To Do Urethral Catheterization in a Male, and Urinary Tract Infection in Children.)
Indications for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
Bladder catheterization can be done for diagnosis and/or treatment.
The main reason to insert a bladder catheter in male children is to
Collect a sterile urine sample for testing in very young children who cannot void on command
Less common reasons include
Relief of acute or chronic urinary retention (obstructive uropathy)
Intermittent catheterization of a neurogenic bladder
Instillation of contrast agent for cystourethrography
Bladder irrigation
Instillation of a medicine
Monitoring of urine output in certain hospitalized patients (indwelling catheter; not discussed here)
Contraindications for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
Absolute contraindications
Suspected urethral disruption from recent urethral trauma
In trauma patients, lower urinary tract disruption (suggested by perineal hematoma, bleeding from the meatus, or pelvic bone injury) should be ruled out by retrograde urethrography (and sometimes cystoscopy) before doing bladder catheterization
Relative contraindications
Known major abnormalities of the lower urinary tract
History of urethral strictures
Prior urethral or bladder neck reconstruction
History of difficult catheter placement
Complications for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
Complications include
Superficial urethral or bladder injury with bleeding (common)
Urinary tract infection (UTI; common)
Creation of false passages
Scarring and strictures
Bladder perforation (rare)
Paraphimosis, if the foreskin is not reduced after the procedure
Equipment for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
Sometimes prepackaged kits are available; if not, equipment required typically includes
Sterile drapes and gloves
An absorbent underpad
Sterile cup for collecting urine specimen
Urethral catheter size varies with age: neonate (full term) to 6 months—5 to 6 French (Fr); infant or toddler—6 to 8 Fr; prepuberal child—10 to 12 Fr; adolescent—12 to 14 Fr
Washcloth for removing antiseptic solution after the procedure
Additional Considerations for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
Sterile technique is necessary to prevent a lower UTI.
If doing multiple procedures, do bladder catheterization first as the child may void during the other procedures.
Relevant Anatomy for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
The pediatric male anatomy is similar to the adult's, with a difference in size.
The male urethra bends acutely at the pubis. Hold the penis straight and upright, to smooth out the curve, when passing a catheter through the urethra.
Positioning for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
Position the patient supine with hips comfortably abducted, knees bent in frog position (hips and knees partially flexed, heels on the bed, hips comfortably abducted).
A clinical assistant should hold the legs or knees.
Step-by-Step Description of Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
The in-and-out insertion of a catheter is described here.
Allow one or both parents or caretakers to remain present to comfort the child. Having them hold the child's hand, provide a stuffed animal for the child to play with, or engage in other distraction techniques can help. Occasionally sedation is needed.
Place all equipment within easy reach on an uncontaminated sterile field on a bedside tray.
Open the prepackaged kit, taking care not to contaminate the contents.
Place the absorbent underpad with the plastic side down beneath the buttocks.
Remove diaper if present and clean the area with a wet washcloth using soap and water. Dry the area with a dry towel. Then wash your hands with soap and water.
Put on gloves using sterile technique.
Apply the sterile lubricant to the end of the catheter and place on the sterile field.
Place the sterile fenestrated drape over the pelvis so that the penis remains exposed.
Grasp the shaft of the penis using your nondominant hand, hold the penis perpendicular to the abdominal wall, and apply gentle traction. Retract the foreskin enough to visualize the urethral meatus if the patient is uncircumcised. Do not force the foreskin to retract. Remember to hold the sides of the penis and not directly underneath; the urethra runs through here and you may compress the area, making it difficult to advance the catheter. This hand is now nonsterile and must not be removed from the penis or touch or any of the equipment during the rest of the procedure. If needed, new sterile gloves can be used.
Hold the catheter in your dominant free hand.
Advance the catheter slowly through the urethra just until urine is obtained. If the patient is old enough to cooperate, ask him to relax and take slow deep breaths as you continue to apply steady pressure. There may be some resistance due to bladder sphincter contraction during insertion of the catheter. Maintain steady gentle pressure so the catheter will advance when the sphincter relaxes. Do not poke repeatedly or force the catheter. Urine should flow freely.
Collect urine in the specimen container. If the volume is insufficient, gently massage the lower abdomen over the bladder (suprapubic area).
Remove the catheter by pulling out gently.
Reposition the foreskin in the uncircumcised male over the glans to avoid paraphimosis.
Aftercare for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
Reduce the foreskin of uncircumcised patients by returning it to its normal position over the glans, to prevent paraphimosis.
Remove the drapes.
Warnings and Common Errors for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
To prevent causing a UTI, maintain strict sterile technique during the procedure.
To prevent causing paraphimosis, reduce the foreskin after the procedure by returning it to its normal position over the glans.
To prevent causing blind passages and urethral injury, do not use excessive force during insertion.
Tips and Tricks for Bladder Catheterization: Male Child
If the foreskin cannot be fully retracted, do not force it. A little gentle retraction may be enough to adequately see the meatus.
Remember to hold the sides of the penis and not directly underneath; the urethra runs through here and you may compress the area, making it difficult to advance the catheter.
Do not proceed with continued attempts at catheter placement if significant resistance is met or if the catheter feels as if it is buckling inside and not advancing.
If the catheter appears to be in the correct position but urine does not return, lubricant may be obstructing the drainage of urine. With the catheter held in the current position, flush the catheter with normal saline to dislodge the lubricant and see if urine returns prior to proceeding with the remaining steps.
If the catheter appears to be in the correct position but urine does not return and there is the possibility of anuria due to dehydration, consider providing hydration (appropriate to patient's clinical condition) before the procedure is attempted again.
Consult urology for any issues with catheter placement or guidance on catheter size and style in select clinical scenarios. In certain situations where a catheter cannot be placed, a suprapubic percutaneous aspiration may be indicated.
