katheter

Katheter, or catheter in English, is a flexible tube inserted into the body to drain fluids, deliver medications, or monitor internal conditions. Catheters are used in a wide range of clinical settings, including surgery, intensive care, and home care, to access the urinary, vascular, or digestive systems. They can be short-term or long-term and vary in size, material, and shape to suit the clinical purpose and patient anatomy.

Urinary catheters drain the bladder and are used for urinary retention, incontinence management, or during surgery. They include intermittent catheters and indwelling catheters such as Foley or suprapubic tubes. Vascular catheters provide access to the bloodstream for fluids, medications, or monitoring, and include peripheral IV lines, midline catheters, central venous catheters, implanted ports, and arterial catheters for blood pressure monitoring. Other catheters, such as epidural catheters, deliver anesthesia, and certain feeding tubes act as catheters to provide nutrition or remove gastric contents.

Materials include silicone, polyurethane, natural latex, and others, with coatings that reduce friction or infection risk. Latex allergy considerations influence material choice. Catheters are designed for either intermittent use or long‑term placement and may be reinforced or coated to minimize tissue irritation and clotting.

Insertion and maintenance require sterile technique and clinician training. Many catheters use a closed drainage system and require securement to prevent movement. Care includes regular inspection of the insertion site, hygiene, and timely removal when no longer indicated to reduce infection risk.

Complications include infections, most notably catheter-associated urinary tract infections, thrombosis or embolism with vascular lines, catheter blockage, dislodgement, and local tissue injury. Preventive measures emphasize minimizing indwelling time, proper hand hygiene, aseptic insertion, device selection, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines.