Epicystostomy

An epicystostomy is a surgical procedure in which a special catheter is inserted into the bladder to drain urine from the body. This may be necessary if the bladder cannot empty itself due to various diseases or injuries.

An epicystostomy tube is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall and brought out through the skin. The catheter is small in size and can be easily removed if necessary.

The epicystostomy procedure can be performed either on an outpatient basis or in a hospital setting. It is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes about 30-60 minutes.

Once the catheter is installed, the patient can begin using it immediately, but it is usually recommended to spend some time in the hospital to monitor the patient's condition.

One of the benefits of an epicystostomy is that it allows the patient to maintain normal urination, which may be important for some patients, especially if they have problems with urinary incontinence.

However, epicystostomy also has its disadvantages. First, it can lead to the development of a urinary tract infection, especially if the catheter is not cleaned regularly. Secondly, inserting a catheter can cause discomfort and pain, especially in the first days after surgery.

Overall, an epicystostomy can be a useful tool for patients who need regular bladder emptying but have problems with incontinence or an inability to empty the bladder on their own.