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Urethral versus suprapubic catheterisation

Authoring team

Suprapubic catheterisation has the following advantages:

  • less uncomfortable for the patient once complete
  • cleaner
  • easier to perform a trial without catheter; the suprapubic is simply spiggoted and unspiggoted if the trial fails
  • particularly indicated if there is a history of surgery to the urethra, or if there is a known urethral stricture

Problems with suprapubic catheterisation include:

  • previous lower abdominal surgery may cause difficulty, especially if there has been peritonitis after bowel perforation
  • the midline should be avoided by 1 cm, and the catheter placed 2 cm above the symphisis pubis
  • there must be bladder distension to allow palpation and accurate placement

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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