WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CATHETERS AVAILABLE?

What are the Different Types of Catheters Available?

A catheter is a flexible tube inserted into the body. It is used to remove urine from the bladder if a person is unable to do so voluntarily. This page will examine the different types of catheters and the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

The Function of the Bladder 

The urinary tract system is responsible for producing, storing and excreting urine from the bladder. On average, it produces 1,500ml of urine throughout a day, but a healthy bladder can store between 350-500ml of urine at any one time.


Urine is created in the kidneys and moves into the bladder via the ureters. It is then stored there and is excreted through the urethra when the muscles relax.


The urinary tract system prevents the build-up of bacteria due to the regular flushing of the urethra. This, in turn, reduces the risk of bacterial infection, which is why it is vital that issues in the urinary tract are addressed swiftly.

When a Catheter is Required 

A catheter is required to empty the bladder when a person is unable to urinate, for instance, if they are suffering from acute or chronic urinary retention. If the bladder is not emptied promptly, it can increase the risk of infection and kidney damage. 

What are the Different Types of Catheters? 

Urinary Catheter 

A urinary foley catheter, or indwelling catheter is inserted through the urethra and is held in situ by a small water filled balloon. The urine is then able to drain through the tube into a bag which can be strapped to the leg or hung from a stand. 

Suprapubic Catheter

A suprapubic catheter is a flexible hollow tube which is inserted into the bladder through an abdominal incision just above the pubic hairline. It is used to drain urine from the bladder in patients who are unable to pass urine and whom placement of a urethral catheter is not possible or desirable. Suprapubic catheters are commonly used for both emergency and long-term bladder drainage with 6,706 suprapubic catheters insertions recorded between April 2017 and March 2018 in the UK[1].

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Urinary Foley Catheters

The Advantages of Urinary Foley Catheters 

Urinary foley catheters hold some advantages which might make them more suitable for use in certain situations. This includes:

  • There is no risk of injury to the bowel
  • They don’t require anaesthetic to insert 

The Disadvantages of Urinary Foley Catheters

Urinary foley catheters come with some disadvantages.

  • This type of catheter is 31% more prone to cause bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), than a suprapubic[2] catheter
  • They are linked with a large proportion of UK healthcare-associated UTIs and account for approximately 75% of US hospital-associated UTIs[3]. Studies have shown that the longer this type of catheter is in, the more likely it is to cause a UTI
  • In the UK, the harm resulting from use of urinary foley catheters costs the NHS between £1 - £2.5 billion and accounts for nearly 2,100 deaths per year[4]
  • They can be uncomfortable for the patient

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Suprapubic Catheters

The Advantages of Suprapubic Catheters 

There are many advantages to using suprapubic catheters which might make them preferable, including[5]:

  • They make it easier to engage in sex
  • They reduce the risk of catheter contamination with organisms commonly found in the bowel
  • They do not present a risk of urethral trauma
  • They provide greater comfort for patients who are chair bound
  • They are easier to keep clean
  • There is a decreased chance of UTIs, meaning they can result in shorter hospital stays

The Disadvantages of Suprapubic Catheters

The conventional technique of inserting a suprapubic catheter has some disadvantages[6]:

  • Incorrect technique can result in injury to the bowel
  • Requires an experienced, confident healthcare provider to insert

How S-Cath™ System can Address Concerns 

Suprapubic catheterisation using the Seldinger technique and the Mediplus S-Cath™ System offers a wide range of benefits to both the healthcare provider and the patient. The S-Cath™ System offers greater control and accuracy minimising the risk of trauma and tissue damage. 

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