What it is
A urinary catheter is a flexible tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine when a person cannot urinate naturally.
➡ Key facts:
- ✔ Can be temporary or long-term, depending on medical need
- ✔ Types include:
- Foley catheter → Indwelling, stays in place for continuous drainage
- Intermittent (Nelaton) catheter → Inserted periodically to empty the bladder
- Suprapubic catheter → Inserted surgically through the lower abdomen
- ✔ Used in hospitals, nursing care, and at home with proper guidance
- ✔ Essential for urinary retention, surgery recovery, or chronic conditions
💡 Urinary catheters are vital for patient comfort, bladder management, and prevention of complications related to urinary retention.
Why it’s done
Urinary catheterization is indicated for:
➤ Acute urinary retention → Sudden inability to urinate
➤ Chronic urinary retention → Due to enlarged prostate, bladder dysfunction, or neurological conditions
➤ Surgery recovery → Monitoring urine output after major surgery
➤ Severe illness or immobilization → Critically ill patients or those with limited mobility
➤ Bladder obstruction or injury → Stones, strictures, or trauma
⚠ Without catheterization, urinary retention can cause kidney damage, infection, or severe discomfort.
Alternatives / Complementary Measures
Other methods to manage bladder function include:
✔ Timed voiding or bladder training → For mild retention or post-stroke recovery
✔ Medication → Alpha-blockers for prostate-related retention
✔ Intermittent self-catheterization → For patients able to manage at home
✔ Surgical options → Correct underlying obstruction (e.g., TURP for BPH)
⚠ Catheterization is essential when non-invasive measures fail or immediate drainage is required.
Preparation
Before catheter insertion in Korea:
🔹 Medical assessment → Urine tests, infection screening, and bladder evaluation
🔹 Medication review → Blood-thinners or anticoagulants may require adjustment
🔹 Consent and counseling → Explain procedure, risks, and care
🔹 Hygiene → Clean genital area thoroughly to reduce infection risk
🔹 Equipment readiness → Sterile catheter, lubricant, and drainage bag
💡 Korean hospitals emphasize sterile technique, patient comfort, and education before catheterization.
How it’s done
➡ Step-by-step catheter insertion:
- Positioning → Supine for adults; proper support for patients with mobility issues
- Sterilization → Clean genital area with antiseptic solution
- Lubrication → Catheter lubricated to ease insertion
- Insertion → Tube gently advanced into the urethra (or through suprapubic site) until urine flows
- Balloon inflation (if indwelling) → Keeps catheter in place
- Connection → Attach drainage bag and secure tubing
- Monitoring → Ensure urine drainage, check for discomfort or leakage
💡 The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and performed under strict sterile conditions in Korea.
Effectiveness & Success Rate
✔ Immediate relief of urinary retention
✔ Accurate urine output monitoring for critically ill patients
✔ Prevents bladder overdistension and kidney damage
✔ Safe for long-term use with proper care and monitoring
💡 Korean hospitals utilize modern catheters, sterile techniques, and trained nursing staff to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Recovery / Expected Outcomes
✔ Immediate results → Bladder empties completely, reducing discomfort
✔ Short-term catheter → Usually removed within 24–72 hours after recovery
✔ Long-term catheter → Requires ongoing monitoring and hygiene
✔ Patient education → How to care for catheter and drainage bag at home
✔ Follow-up → Routine checks to prevent infection and ensure proper function
💡 With proper care, patients maintain bladder function and reduce complications.
Complications / Risks
⚠ Urinary catheters carry some risks, but are generally safe:
➡ Urinary tract infection (UTI) → Most common complication
➡ Urethral injury or irritation → Improper insertion or long-term use
➡ Discomfort or bladder spasms
➡ Blockage → From sediment or blood clots
➡ Allergic reaction → Rare, to catheter material
💡 Korean healthcare providers monitor catheterized patients closely, provide infection control, and educate patients and caregivers.
Treatment Options in Korea (Post-Catheter Care)
🔹 Short-term catheter management → Hospitalized patients with monitoring
🔹 Home care for long-term catheters → Sterile techniques, bag replacement, and hygiene
🔹 Symptom management → Analgesics for discomfort or spasms
🔹 Regular check-ups → Urine tests, catheter inspection, and follow-up consultations
🔹 Alternative interventions → Consider surgical correction if long-term catheterization is needed
💡 Korea emphasizes multidisciplinary support including urologists, nurses, and caregivers for safe catheter management.
Top Hospitals & Clinics in Korea for Urinary Catheterization
🏥 Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) – Expertise in acute and chronic catheter management
🏥 Asan Medical Center (Seoul) – Specialized urology department with trained staff
🏥 Samsung Medical Center (Seoul) – Comprehensive post-operative catheter care
🏥 Yonsei Severance Hospital – Pediatric and adult catheterization services
🏥 Regional hospitals and clinics – Provide insertion, monitoring, and home-care guidance
Conclusion
Urinary catheterization in Korea is a safe, effective, and essential procedure for managing urinary retention, post-surgical care, and chronic bladder conditions.
✔ Provides immediate relief and bladder monitoring
✔ Safe for short-term or long-term use with proper care
✔ Minimizes risks of bladder overdistension, kidney damage, and infection
✔ Korean hospitals ensure expert insertion, sterile techniques, and patient education
By combining modern catheters, skilled healthcare teams, and structured post-procedure guidance, Korea ensures patients maintain urinary health, comfort, and safety.
