Indwelling

Indwelling refers to something that remains inside a space or body, either permanently or for an extended period. In medical contexts, indwelling devices are designed to stay in place to deliver therapy, monitor function, or facilitate treatment. Examples include indwelling urinary catheters, central venous catheters and implanted ports, prosthetic joints, and cardiac devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. These devices may be inserted surgically or percutaneously and require ongoing maintenance and monitoring.

Indwelling catheters are used to drain urine or administer medications over a period of time, while implanted devices provide long-term vascular access or therapeutic effects without repeated insertion. The use of indwelling devices aims to improve patient outcomes, but it also introduces risks. Complications can include infection, inflammation, obstruction, mechanical failure, dislodgement, and tissue reactions. Catheters can lead to catheter-associated infections and blockage; implanted devices can become infected, erode into surrounding tissue, or require revision surgery.

Care and management emphasize aseptic technique, regular assessment for signs of complications, device-specific maintenance, and patient education. The expected duration of indwelling use varies by device and clinical goal, and removal or replacement is considered when therapy ends, if a device malfunctions, or if adverse effects outweigh benefits.

Outside medicine, the term indwelling can describe something inherent or resident within another entity, such as a theological concept of a divine presence dwelling within a person. In general usage, it can denote any object or process that remains inside a structure for an extended period.