Foley vs. suprapubic catheter during & after RALP?

Posted by jercalif @jercalif, Jan 27 9:24am

I haven't seen my new urologist yet, and I'm having trouble finding an answer online, so thought I would try asking this here:

If part of the purpose of the Foley catheter during RALP is to act as a stent to allow proper healing of the urethra, then why do some urologists seem to advocate the placement of a suprapubic catheter during the RALP, either as a substitute for the Foley catheter, or as a means of removing the Foley catheter sooner?

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Like a number of things with surgery, it's often either surgeon's preference, or there's a physical reason why one can be done & the other can't - for instance, if the urethra has previous surgical scars or is too small to accommodate a catheter. But sometimes it's just what the surgeon is used to doing.

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Profile picture for peterj116 @peterj116

Like a number of things with surgery, it's often either surgeon's preference, or there's a physical reason why one can be done & the other can't - for instance, if the urethra has previous surgical scars or is too small to accommodate a catheter. But sometimes it's just what the surgeon is used to doing.

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@peterj116 I studied this a little more, and it seems that a Foley catheter is still also used, and that the only proven advantage of also installing a suprapubic catheter is patient comfort, by removing the Foley as soon as the next morning after the surgery at 10am .
One study showed increased continence using this method, but not enough data to really draw any conclusions.
On one hand, it would seem as if leaving the Foley in for more than a day or two would aid in healing properly...with a "stent" in place as opposed to without...but on the other hand is damage done to the urethra upon removal if you leave it in for 7-11 days and then have to painfully force it out?
In any event, the only option currently commonly available is the 7-11 day period, so at least that is one decision that I don 't have to concern myself with.

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The standard method works fine, but it's pretty uncomfortable - especially when trying to sleep.
But the actual removal was a non-event.
The thought of it being slid out was much worse than the reality - which was a 5-second tickle.

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Profile picture for peterj116 @peterj116

The standard method works fine, but it's pretty uncomfortable - especially when trying to sleep.
But the actual removal was a non-event.
The thought of it being slid out was much worse than the reality - which was a 5-second tickle.

Jump to this post

@peterj116

I had a Foley Catheter after a bladder cancer growth removal and it was a pain in the neck. On the second day at home it started leaking when I peed. After 3 more days with the leakage getting worse I had it adjusted and it leaked twice and then came out on it's own. I'm thinking the adjustment was faulty. However, I was sure glad I was rid of it. Had no more problems. Certainly didn't ask that they re-install it.

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