Can we use single lumen as catheter during treatment?

23 September 21

A prescription must include indication and planning of treatment time or time for reconsideration of the catheter treatment. Single lumen is common for this purpose.

When prescribing a urinary catheter, the choice of the single lumen, testing, and prescribing of accessories such as a catheter valve, urine collection bag. Furthermore, the manufacturer specifies how the catheter is to be common, and it must be CE marked for the purpose.

Risks involved in a single lumen

Urinary tract infection is the most common healthcare-associated infection and is 80-90 percent related to treatment with a urinary catheter(lumen). Moreover, there is also a risk of tissue damage such as scarring of the urethra (stricture). Cleavage of the urethral opening, pain, burning and bleeding

Biofilm is a layer of bacteria that colonizes the surface of the catheter, and that can change its structure and become more difficult to attack for both the immune system and drugs—different catheter treatments for a single lumen. The rock formation is common.

Types of the single lumen; catheterization treatments

1-Self-catheterization – RIK 

Pure Intermittent Catheterization. A drain catheter inserts into the bladder at regular intervals. Usually performed by the person himself but may require assistance.

2-KAD; single lumen

This lumen treatment is common as a term for residual urinary single lumen via the urethra. A two-way catheter fixes in the bladder with a balloon that fills with fluid.

3-A Suprapubic urinary catheter 

It is also a residual catheter that inserts into the bladder via the abdominal wall and fixed with a balloon that fills with fluid.

There are also other variants of how the catheter is fixed in the bladder.

Two main catheter types; single lumen

Following are the two main types of catheters.

1-Dispensing catheters 

These are usually come of plastic but are also available in silicone. Most have a hydrophilic coating that attracts liquid. The catheter surface then becomes slippery. For self-catheterization, with a lumen in the home, tap water can usually be common,

2-Hydrophilic catheters; single lumen

Some hydrophilic catheters are pre-packaged with the required fluid. The coating is also available as a gel. Single lumen without surface treatment requires the addition of catheter gel to reduce friction against the urethral mucosa.

The remaining catheters (KAD) (Suprapubic catheter) have latex or silicone as the base material. Most catheters intended for the urethra can also be common as a suprapubic ally. The manufacturer indicates whether the catheter can be common suprapubic ally.

Latex types and single lumen

Latex is made of raw rubber; the material is soft and flexible and can maintain the channel for drainage. Latex also has tissue irritating properties, which is why these  lumens should have a protective surface layer, the most common being hydrogel, silicone, or PTFE (Teflon).

1-Latex with hydrogel

A surface layer of polymer absorbs a small amount of fluid from the mucous membrane of the urethra and forms a surface with low friction, which provides good patient comfort.  Not suitable if the patient dehydrates in latex hypersensitivity.

2- Latex with silicone

It is surface layer of silicone. Particularly suitable for planned treatment up to a week. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to latex.

 3-Latex with PTFE (Teflon)

Teflon surface layer. In addition, it is contraindicated in the case of hypersensitivity to latex. The balloon is filled with sterile water

Silicone applications in inorganic polymers

Silicone consists of inorganic polymers based on silicon chains. As a lumen, the material is slightly stiffer than latex, which can affect patient comfort. Additionally, there are silicone catheters with a hydrogel surface layer to increase patient comfort.

The catheter wall is thinner than in latex catheters, which means that the channel for drainage is more spacious. The balloon is easy to fill with sterile water, which, however, diffuses out, which causes the balloon to shrink. Sterile glycerin mix can be common instead, which is often included—glycerin mix.

Hydrogel coating in a single lumen

Coating with a hydrogel that covers a thin layer of precious metals is available for both latex and silicone catheters. The hydrogel forms a surface with low friction, which provides good patient comfort in the single lumen. The alloy of precious metal has a galvanic effect that aims to reduce the risk of biofilm, bacteriuria, and developed urinary tract infection.

Specifications for Single lumen

The single lumen is suitable for recurrent urinary tract infections and for recurrent blockages in the catheter. Also, efficacy evaluation should be performed after several months of adequate catheter replacement.

1-Size of single lumen

The catheter should be thin to have as little impact as possible on the lining of the urethra but large enough to provide good drainage. It comes in Charrier (Ch), which is roughly the same as the circumference in millimeters. Standard coarseness for  lumen adults is Ch 12, 14, and 16.

2-Length of single lumen

The remaining catheters and tapping catheters are available in different lengths. For men whose urethra is 20 – 30 centimeters, a single lumen that is about 40 centimeters are required.
Women whose urethra is about 5 centimeters may have a shorter catheter.

Types of catheters depending on the length

1-Short remaining catheters

20 – 25 centimeters long

2-Tapping catheters

7 centimeters.

Main categories of tips in a single lumen

1-Nelaton tip 

First choice and most common for both remaining catheters and tapping catheters, straight. And softly rounded with two holes on each side of the catheter tip.

2-Tiemann tip 

A slightly curved and tapered tip of a lumen can facilitate insertion for men and boys as the catheter more easily follows the curvature of the urethra. Moreover, when inserting the catheter, the curved tip should face up.

3-Olive / ball-shaped tip 

It is available as flexible. Furthermore, it may facilitate insertion of the catheter

Catheter treatment accessories for single lumen

When prescribing a single lumen, accessories also select, such as a urine collection bag and fastening device. The catheter valve connects to the residual catheter, KAD, as well as the suprapubic catheter, when urine is easy to store in the bladder.

The valve opens for urine emptying when urinating, or alternatively every 3 to 4 hours, the urine volume should not be more than four deciliters. Through the intermittent emptying in a single lumen, often called bladder training, the urine collection bag is easy to avoid.