Question 1

why would anyone use a pigtail suprapubic catheter when it needs xrays every time it is changed? why not a foley suprapubic? how often are they changed?

Accepted Answer

: After the tract is established, usually after 6 weeks, the pigtail suprapubic catheter can be inserted in the office without fluoroscope. The catheter is usually changed monthly in the office. Pigtail suprapubic catheter is kept inside the bladder by self-retaining locking mechanism, not by an inflated balloon. If you don't want the pigtail type, your doctor can change to a regular foley catheter.

Question 2

just been told that a pigtail suprapubic catheter is put in first, then a larger one, the goal being to get to a foley. never heard that before! any opinions?

Accepted Answer

: Neither do I understand the concept. They can just put a balloon (foley) catheter in the first place. Take care.

Question 3

now have a pigtail suprapubic catheter. can utis be stopped?

Accepted Answer

: Having any foreign object in a body cavity connected to the outside causes  bacteria to grow in and around it and there is no way to prevent it. If there are no other symptoms  it is not a UTI. UTI will be if you have fever/ chills etc.

Question 4

just been told that they use fluoroscopy to insert a pigtail suprapubic catheter. arent all these xrays dangerous- nobody told me before they put it in?

Accepted Answer

: Less danger with the x-ray than without, I've known of bowel perforation when done without. Your doc already knows this.

Question 5

what is the full procedure for monthly replacement of pigtail suprapubic catheter. bladder wont fully empty without a catheter. a link to a website is fine with me. given the restrictions on healthtap.maybe switch to foley that can be replace locally?

Accepted Answer

: The suprapubic catheter is usually changed by a healthcare personnel in the US. I do not know what the protocol in Canada is. However, if you are allowed to insert suprapubic catheter then you should be trained thoroughly. In the US, only are patients trained to do self uretheral catheterization (straight cath).

Question 6

what is the standard and documented procedure for removing a pigtail heimlich catheter from the chest after a pneumothorax caused by needle punctures?

Accepted Answer

Mgt: Open the clip, unwind the suture, cut the suture and gently remove, as indicated.

Question 7

still looking for the written procedure steps re replacing a pigtail suprapubic catheter, without water balloon. radiology say it will need flouroscope xrays every time.- an authoritive website would greatly help?

Accepted Answer

: Please check with your urologist. Once the tract is established, usually after 6-8 weeks, the tube insertion can be done in the doctor's office by a well-trained nurse without the need of fluoroscope. I do not think you are allowed to do it yourself. Good luck.

Question 8

friday first suprapubic catheter is a pigtail.monday a nurse showed i can pull the cath out a bit. friday tiny amount of yellow stuff in the wound -pus?- not flowing. maybe grease when they first put it in? slight redness near wound. long weekend?

Accepted Answer

: You should call the doctor who placed the catheter as it sounds like you may have the beginning of a wound infection and you don’t want this to worsen. This may require antibiotics to treat. The redness and pus are concerning. So, call your doctor-there is always someone on call for this type of issue. Good luck!

Question 9

changing from pigtail to "foley" type suprapubic catheter. no bag, just a valve- doc has never heard of those. on a male need help positioning the tube. is the tubeoutside of the body easy to cut to make it shorter? any tips?

Accepted Answer

: Most GPs are not familiar with or taking care  or changing a pig tail catheter so your doc does not know of it. This change should be done by a Urologist. PL NEVER cut/ treposition or 'monkey' with any bodily placed catheters. PL consult the Urologist who placed it. Good luck

Question 10

what is a hickman catheter?

Accepted Answer

Special IV line: This catheter is routinely used in leukemia treatment. It is a long sterile tube that surgeons place under the skin in a "tunnel" and then it enters a large blood vessel. This is done to prevent bacteria from entering the catheter. This allows the administration of chemotherapy, transfusions, fluids, other drugs and also allows the many blood draws involved in leukemia treatment.

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Doctor answers about:

Pigtail catheter care

A member asked:

Why would anyone use a pigtail suprapubic catheter when it needs xrays every time it is changed? why not a foley suprapubic? how often are they changed?

A member asked:

Just been told that a pigtail suprapubic catheter is put in first, then a larger one, the goal being to get to a foley. never heard that before! any opinions?

A member asked:

Now have a pigtail suprapubic catheter. can utis be stopped?

A member asked:

Just been told that they use fluoroscopy to insert a pigtail suprapubic catheter. arent all these xrays dangerous- nobody told me before they put it in?

A member asked:

What is the full procedure for monthly replacement of pigtail suprapubic catheter. bladder wont fully empty without a catheter. a link to a website is fine with me. given the restrictions on healthtap.maybe switch to foley that can be replace locally?

A member asked:

What is the standard and documented procedure for removing a pigtail heimlich catheter from the chest after a pneumothorax caused by needle punctures?

A member asked:

Still looking for the written procedure steps re replacing a pigtail suprapubic catheter, without water balloon. radiology say it will need flouroscope xrays every time.- an authoritive website would greatly help?

A member asked:

Friday first suprapubic catheter is a pigtail.monday a nurse showed i can pull the cath out a bit. friday tiny amount of yellow stuff in the wound -pus?- not flowing. maybe grease when they first put it in? slight redness near wound. long weekend?

A member asked:

Changing from pigtail to "foley" type suprapubic catheter. no bag, just a valve- doc has never heard of those. on a male need help positioning the tube. is the tubeoutside of the body easy to cut to make it shorter? any tips?

A member asked:

What is a hickman catheter?

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