Bladder Management

OK today's letter is "B". So usually in the gimp world this is know as (B & B) bowel and bladder management. I chose bladder as the bowel, I thought would just be too much. If you care you can Google it and find out more than you EVER wanted to know.

Bladder Management

Foley or Suprapubic CatheterA tube is inserted through the urethra or abdomen and into the bladder, where a balloon on the end holds it in place. It remains in the bladder and drains constantly, so the bladder is never full.

External Catheterization

• Condom CathetersThese collection devices are worn by men for incontinence problems. They are made of latex rubber or silicone that covers the penis and attaches to a tube that drains into a collection bag.
• External Continence Device (ECD)An ECD is a method of continence management that attaches only to the tip of the penis using hydrocolloid, a hypoallergenic adhesive commonly used in wound and ostomy care. Urine is directed into a collection bag and does not come in contact with skin.


Intermittent CatheterizationYou drain your bladder several times a day by inserting a small rubber or plastic tube. The tube does not stay in the bladder between catheterizations.

Spontaneous VoidingThe bladder muscles contract to start the bladder-emptying process. This may be under your control (voluntary) or not (involuntary):

• Normal VoidingThis is done under your control. When the bladder gets full, messages are sent to the sacral level of the spinal cord and carried to the brain. The brain sends messages back to the bladder to contract, and to the sphincter muscle to open, so you can void.
• SpincterotomyThis surgical process weakens the bladder neck and sphincter muscle to allow urine to flow out more easily. After this surgery, you will urinate involuntarily, and must wear a collection device.
• Condom CatheterThese collection devices are worn by men for incontinence problems or after sphincterotomy (see above). They are made of latex rubber or silicone that covers the penis and attaches to a tube that drains into a collection bag.

Stimulated VoidingVoiding is encouraged in one of several ways, such as:

• Anal or Rectal StretchThis method for relaxing the urinary sphincter is usually used along with an abdominal corset and valsalva (see below).
• CredeThis method involves manually pressing down on the bladder.
• TappingThe area over the bladder is tapped with the fingertips or the side of the hand, lightly and repeatedly, to stimulate detrusor muscle contractions and voiding.
• ValsalvaThis method involves increasing pressure inside the abdomen by bearing down as if you were going to have a bowel movement.


Surgical Alternatives

• MitrofanoffA passageway is constructed using the appendix so that catheterization can be done through the abdomen to the bladder.
• Bladder AugmentationSurgical enlargement of the bladder.

• SpincterotomySee the description of this procedure in the "Spontaneous Voiding" section.

I am NOT a doctor nor do I claim to be. This is for informational purposes. Consult your doctor.