I’m sure sometimes you might have encountered this plan given during ward round: “Clamp CBD 4 hourly until tomorrow morning.”
Do we routinely clamp the urinary catheter
No.
For example, a patient was inserted urinary catheter prior to Caesarean section, the next day we can straightaway remove the catheter without clamping the catheter prior. After removal of urinary catheter, we allow trial of voiding.
In fact, there is insufficient evidence that support the effectiveness of clamping in short-term indwelling catheter patients
Give an example of the condition where we will clamp the urinary catheter
If the patient question above developed AUR post urinary catheter removal, we would re-insert a new urinary catheter. Then, we try to clamp 4 hourly for 1 day, and trial off tomorrow.
Each time before unclamping the urinary catheter, we can assess whether patient has urge to urinate
What is the idea behind clamping the urinary catheter?
• To strengthen the bladder detrusor muscle • To improve muscle tone and sensation of the bladder • To stimulate normal filling and emptying of the bladder
• Apply adequate of gel during urinary catheter insertion, to reduce discomfort during & post insertion • Remember to put back male foreskin after inserting urinary catheter • Use water for injection (not NaCl) to inflate the balloon • Use 10 mL water for injection to ensure the balloon inflated adequately
During removal
• If resistance is encountered during removal of urinary catheter, do not proceed to pull, as this would injure the bladder neck / urethra
