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Is a Foley Inserted for General Surgery?

In the medical field, a "Foley" refers to a specific type of indwelling catheter inserted into the bladder to drain urine out of the body. Although these catheters are not necessary for all surgeries, they are occasionally inserted for specific types of surgery.

  1. Identification

    • A Foley catheter "is a thin, sterile tube inserted into your bladder," according to eMedicineHealth. A small balloon holds the catheter in place inside the bladder, preventing the tube from sliding out of the body. The urine drains into a collection bag outside the body.

    Surgery

    • In most cases, a Foley catheter is only used during general surgery when the surgeon will be making close contact with the urinary system, such as during surgeries on the gastrointestinal tract or rectum. Additionally, a Foley catheter will likely be inserted for any forms of general surgery expected to take more than three or four hours, explains NetWellness.

    Benefits

    • Inserting a catheter during general surgery prevents the bladder from becoming enlarged or distended, which obstructs the surgeon's ability to perform the surgery. Additionally, an accumulation of urine in the bladder results in an increased heart rate and blood pressure, which may cause complications during a surgical procedure.

    Risks

    • The most common risk associated with the insertion of a Foley catheter is infection. This risk increases with each day the catheter remains in place.

    Other Uses

    • The most common situations that require insertion of a Foley catheter include the inability to control urination or the inability to empty the bladder, explains the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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