cewniki

Cewniki, in Polish medical terminology cewnik is a flexible tube inserted into the body to drain fluids, sample materials, or deliver medicines. They are used across various clinical settings and can be temporary or long-term. The term covers multiple devices, most commonly urinary catheters and intravascular catheters, as well as other drainage catheters.

Urinary catheters (cewniki moczowe) are placed in the urinary tract to drain urine. They may be inserted through the urethra (transurethral catheter) or via a suprapubic route. They are used for urinary retention, after surgical procedures, or when a patient cannot void voluntarily. Intermittent catheters are removed after each use, while indwelling catheters remain in place for longer periods and require ongoing care to reduce infection risk. Common materials include latex and silicone, and catheters may be standard, coated, or specially designed for comfort or reduced friction.

Vascular catheters (cewniki naczyniowe) provide access to the bloodstream for intravenous therapy, medication administration, nutrition, blood sampling, or hemodynamic monitoring. Central venous catheters are inserted into large veins and are suitable for long-term therapy or dialysis access, while peripheral venous catheters are shorter and used for shorter-term IV access. Other drainage catheters include chest tubes and abdominal drains used to remove air, blood, or fluids from body cavities.

Materials and design vary: catheters may be made of latex, silicone, or other polymers and may include coatings or hydrophilic surfaces to reduce irritation and infection risk. Proper placement, sterile technique, and timely removal are essential to minimize complications such as infections, occlusion, dislodgement, or trauma.