Catheter care after prostate cancer surgery
A catheter is a flexible tube that drains urine from the bladder. It is inserted during surgery.
The catheter allows the area to heal where the prostate was removed (see diagram). It is
usually in place between 5 and 21 days. Your healthcare professional will remove the
catheter.
Urine drains from the bladder into a bag. A day time bag is usually attached to the thigh with
straps and a night time larger bag is attached to the bed (see diagrams). When you are
discharged from hospital you will probably receive information about the catheter and a small
and large drainage bag.
What Can I Expect with the Catheter?
Not all men will experience catheter problems. Some men complain about:
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Leakage of urine around the catheter. This can be from kinked tubing or constipation.
An incontinence pad can protect your clothing. Protective pads can protect your
furniture.

Bladder spasms. The bladder may feel full and you may have a strong urge to urinate.
If these spasms persist, contact your healthcare professional, who may prescribe
medication to reduce the spasms.
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Blood clots in the tubing or bag. Drink at least 1.5 litres of non-caffeinated, nonalcoholic liquid each day to help remove small clots. Call your healthcare
professional if the clots are large or start to increase.
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Blood and mucous in small amounts at the tip of the penis. Clean the area with mild
soap and water and dry well. Apply Vaseline, Polysporin® or Neosporin® ointment
(non-prescription) on the penis tip. Hold the catheter in place with close fitting
underwear or incontinence pad to prevent irritation.
Wash your hands before and after handling your drainage bag or catheter.
Care of the drainage bag
Check that there are no kinks or bends in the tubing to stop flow.
Keep the urine collection bag below the level of your bladder.
Tape the catheter on the thigh or abdomen to prevent tension (see diagrams)
Shower with your catheter and urine collection bag in place if you wish to.
Avoid sexual intercourse until your catheter is removed.
Hang the large urine collection bag on the side of your bed at night
Emptying the Drainage Bag
Empty your bag when it is about half full and before bed.
Hold the bag over the toilet, loosen the clamp on the drainage spout and drain the urine into
the toilet or a container (see diagram showing drainage port).
When you are finished, clamp or tighten the drainage spout.
Wipe the tip of the drainage spout to remove urine and insert into the sleeve or cap.
Wash your hands before and after handling your catheter.
Cleaning the Drainage Bags and Tubing to prevent Odour
Rinse the bag and tubing with cold water.
Fill the drainage bag with a solution of vinegar and water (1:3). (Some men find a turkey
baster useful for putting this solution into the bag.)
Rinse the bag with water and hang to dry.
Clean the cap and tubing with alcohol swabs.
Possible problems
On rare occasions, problems will occur after surgery.
Call your doctor or go to emergency if you experience any of the following:
• Chills & Fever (temperature greater than 38.5° C)
• An increase in mucous and/or sediment in the urine and the urine has a foul odour
• Dull pain over the kidney area
• No urine drainage from the catheter into the bag
• Increase in abdominal pain
• Blood clots or bright red urine
• Bladder spasms that do not go away.
On the day of catheter removal
The catheter is usually in place from 5 to 21 days. Your healthcare professional will remove
the catheter. It will slip out easily when the balloon that keeps the catheter in place is
deflated.
Comment [S1]: Perhaps say not to
worry if you get an erection
On the day of catheter removal, most men leak urine. This can range from a small to very
large amount.
Prepare for catheter removal by bringing with you
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a large incontinence pad (more pads if you have a long distance to travel)
a small towel and flannel so that you can wash your genital area
close fitting underwear to hold the pad in place
a protective pad for the car seat.
Some common urinary symptoms after catheter removal that improve with time
Feeling that you have the urge to urinate too frequently during the day.
Waking more than once at night to urinate
Having an urgent need to urinate or leakage with urgency
Leakage with coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, jogging, or passing gas.
Burning when passing urine the first few times you urinate. If the burning lasts longer than a
day or two, it may be a sign of an infection. Call your healthcare professional.
No sensation of urine in the bladder.
How long will leakage last?
Leakage of urine can last from a few days to several months. Remember, these symptoms
will improve with time. Drink plenty of fluids, to keep your urine clear light yellow. If you
have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you
increase the amount of fluids you drink. Wear loose cotton underwear if you have irritation or
a rash from your catheter.
After your catheter is removed, call your healthcare professional if you experience:
Weak urine stream
Straining to start the stream
The urine stream stops and starts
You cannot pass your water at all.
You have a temperature, chills or abdominal pain.