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Foley Balloon Catheter

A Foley balloon catheter also called a foley bulb catheter / indwelling catheter is a device normally used by healthcare providers to empty the bladder. Foley catheter is used in a variety of clinical settings like urinary retention, urinary incontinence, post-surgery, and monitoring urine output. It is at times used for labor induction as well, to promote contractions and dilation of the cervix as this method is considered an effective and safe option. A foley balloon catheter is typically made of latex or silicone material. The choice of the material used depends on factors such as the purpose of the catheter, the patient's medical condition, and their allergies to certain materials. It is sterile and individually packed in peelable blister packs. It has a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture. The catheter is to be stored in a cool dry place, away from direct light. The special features of the catheter are a blockage-free balloon, elliptical side eye, maximum fluid flow, trauma-free catheterization, and color-coded valve sleeve. A foley balloon catheter is designed to have two main parts: the catheter tube and the balloon. The catheter tube is a flexible and hollow tube that is inserted into the patient's bladder through the urethra. A Foley catheter is usually around 6–12 inches long. The catheter with a length of 12 inches (about 40 cm) is used for male adults and shorter-length catheters (20– 40 cm) are used in children and females. Also, the catheter diameter is measured in French (Fr) units. The diameter ranges from 6 Fr to 22 Fr. The size depends on the patient's age, gender, and medical condition. The balloon, on the other hand, is a small inflatable chamber located at the tip of the catheter tube. It is designed to be inflated once the catheter is inserted into the bladder to keep the catheter in place and prevent it from slipping out. The balloon is inflated by injecting sterile water or saline solution through a valve on the catheter. The amount of fluid needed to inflate the balloon depends on the size of the catheter and the patient’s bladder capacity. The common guideline is to use a 5-10 mL balloon for children, a 10-30 mL balloon for women, and a 30 mL balloon for men. In addition to the catheter tube and balloon, the foley catheter also has an attachable drainage bag, which collects the urine that drains from the bladder. The drainage bag is made of plastic. There are two types of drainage bags: leg bags and bedside bags. A leg bag is a small bag that is attached to the catheter and worn on the patient's leg. It is used for ambulatory patients, who can move around. A bedside bag is a large bag that is placed on the floor beside the bed. It is used for patients who are immobile or bedridden. Both types of bags have a drainage port that allows easy removal of urine. Foley Balloon Catheters have been carefully designed to ensure that the balloon materials, tips, and fluid channel provide the best possible performance and the highest degree of comfort to the patients. Before we go ahead and understand the procedure let's understand the location of the urethra in the male and female body. The female urethra is located above the vagina in the pelvis. Insertion of the catheter is facilitated by having the patient lie down on her back with the buttocks at the edge of the examination table. Adequate exposure of the urethra is obtained by elevating and supporting the legs with stirrups or placing them in a frog-legged position. The male urethra is long compared to the female urethra and is located in the penis. A catheter is placed while lying down or in the frog-legged position. If there is a foreskin, it needs to be retracted to its maximum limit. First, the urethra and the surrounding areas in both males and females are cleaned with a cotton ball dipped in an antiseptic solution. The foley catheter is then lubricated with water-soluble jelly and is slowly inserted into the bladder through the urethra. Once the catheter is passed, the balloon is in the bladder. The balloon is then inflated with about 10cc of water using a syringe. Inflating the balloon is not a painful procedure. At this time, if urine is present in the bladder, it will flow back through the catheter into the drainage bag. It is important to note that foley catheterization is a medical procedure that carries some risks, including urinary tract infections, trauma to the urethra, and bladder spasms. Therefore, healthcare providers should only use foley catheters when necessary and take appropriate precautions to prevent complications.