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What is bladder irrigation?
Bladder irrigation is a procedure in which the inside of the bladder is washed with sterile water or normal saline. It prevents the formation of blood clots and allows free flow of urine, especially after surgeries related to the bladder. Bladder irrigation also helps in preventing the formation of blockage (due to blood clot, infection, products of inflammation, etc.) in the catheter.
Why is it done?
Doctors advise bladder irrigation when severe bleeding occurs inside the bladder. It is mainly done in order to prevent the formation of blood clot that obstructs the flow of urine. Chronic and acute obstruction to the flow of urine in patients with in-dwelling catheter results in different signs and symptoms.
- No passage of urine through catheter
- Sudden and severe pain in the abdomen and around the catheter due to fullness of bladder
- Leakage of urine around the catheter
- Increased sweating, rapid heartbeat or decreased blood pressure after prolonged catheter obstruction
Who needs it?
The main purpose of bladder irrigation is to prevent the formation of blood clot inside the bladder and any obstruction in the in-dwelling catheter that can block the flow of urine from the urinary system. The conditions that result in acute or chronic obstruction in the flow of urine include:
- Severe urinary tract infection or bladder infection that results in bleeding.
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Narrow urethra or urethral stricture
- Kidney stone
- Trauma or injury while inserting the catheter in the urinary bladder resulting in blood clot due to bleeding.
- Individuals in coma and those who have catheter in the bladder for a long time.
- Surgeries related to prostate gland like trans-urethral resection of prostate (TURP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)
- Bladder surgery such as trans-urethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and other procedures related to bladder and prostate gland
- Radiation for bladder tumour
How is it performed?
Bladder wash or irrigation is generally carried out with sterile water or normal saline. Sometimes special chemicals or antibiotic solutions are used for treating infections. The procedure is commonly carried out with the help of a 3-way catheter which allows the flow of the fluid, used for irrigation, into and out of the bladder at the same time.
Recent automatic devices for bladder irrigation with wireless sensors have proved to be more effective and safer in people requiring bladder irrigation frequently, for example, those with enlarged prostate gland.
(Consult a doctor with Doctor app)
