[seeker]

Okay!! I've been doing some reading on supra pubic catheters. What I understand is that they are inserted thru the stomach. Right?????? I also read, on the same page of a website, how to change one and they talked about the genitals. Can someone explain to me: if the tube is inserted thru the stomach, what do the genitals have to do with it?
Thanks

[Gary Anderson]

My mate has an SPC. The SPC is inserted in the stomach, HOWEVER, you can empty the SPC in three ways:-

1. From the valve on the SPC into a bag/toilet.
2. Free drainage into a leg bag.
3. Intermittent Self Cathertisation which is done by inserting a gelled tube into the P**** and pushing the tube up until it meets resistance (which is the valve of the SPC) push on past this and eventually the urine will drain away.

If you look earlier on this board you will see that I posted a similar question because a friend of mine has an SPC and cannot for the life of him bear to insert a tube into his genitals. So, he drains using the valve on the catheter.

[Apparelyzed]

Here is a diagram showing when the catheter is inserted.

Attached thumbnail(s)

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[Simon]

Hi
You should be aware inserting an spc is a dangerous technique. The skewer shown here has to pass near the intestine and unless your bladder has at least 250ml in it before the procedure it should not be carried out, otherwise you risk having the intesine punctured and hence perritinitus.
Had one put in last week by my excellent urologist. It inserted near the top of the bladder above the public bone. Its a simple plung with the skewer but first they should insert a syrine and withdraw urine to ensure they're in the bladder and not the stomach.
Other things to consider - intermittent self cathing is less of an infection risk than an spc but an spc is a lesser risk than a urethral catheter. However, if your itntermittent cathing is done by someone else then the infection risk from that will increase.
Simon

[kanga2433]

Well, I have found that changing the SPC is pretty simple. My wife and I were taught and it doesn't take long and no problems. As far as thr risk of infections is concerned, I have had one since 1998 and not had a single infection. I actually had some infection whilst used sheaths and I always got one with a urethral catheter was in.

It make me wonder whether the fact of putting a catheter in and out several times a day might be a higher risk of infection.

[Apparelyzed]

Just to add to the stats, I've had a SPC since 1992, and haven't had a bladder infection in all that time.

Plus, a SPC makes your sex life alot simpler, and more spontaneous!

Simon.

[Gary Anderson]

Simon (Webmaster)

That was one of the reasons my mate had an SPC put in because he was thoroughly questioned on his sex life and as it was active he had one put in.

[seeker]

So, just so I have this straight....it does NOT get removed unless there is a blockage. Correct? I am sorry to ask so many "stupid" questions, but everything that I have read, hasn't answered any of them. And I keep reading things that contradict one another. Until now. Thanks guys. This has really helped.

[kanga2433]

Sorry, Seeker, I think we may have missed something here. The SPC remains in place for a period of weeks,up to a maximum of 12 weeks and is then changed. By the time of the first change, the body will have produced a tissue tube surrounding the catheter so the old one can be withdrawn and the new one inserted painlessly (especially for those with no feeling in the abdomen!) and easily.

Many people are taught to do their own or their partners which makes life simpler than having the Nurse in to do it. This also means that i the event of a blockage the catheter can be quickly swapped to minimise other problems.

So to sumarise:

First catheter inserted by surgeon often under general anaesthetic

Changes at 6 to 12 week intervals can be done at home

[seeker]

I finally got it!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you guys so much!