For Plastic Surgery Procedures That Go on for 5 or 6 Hours Are You Catherized? Thanks! Kathy

I place a catheter for cases longer than 3-4 hours. Otherwise, patient will have discomfort (even under anesthesia) and probably wet themselves. 

Yes, once you are under anesthesia it is customary for a catheter to be placed in your bladder for surgeries lasting more than 3 hours to prevent distention and also to monitor your urinary output. Typically it is removed at the end of your procedure but in some occasions left in for several hours.

Absolutely, anything over 3 hours requires a catheter. A catheter also allows to monitor urine output which is important for some cases.

The simple answer is yes.  I place a catheter if my procedures go longer than 2 hours or if I need to critically watch the urine production such as in large volume liposuction.

Dr.  ES

The longer the surgical procedure, the longer an intravenous line runs, and the more fluid you receive. A full bladder can cause significant blood pressure changes and other physiologic responses, even in a fully asleep (anesthetized) patient. So a catheter is not only useful, but important for patient safety as well as comfort.

And who wants to have to get up and pee right after waking up from surgery?

Don't fear a catheter; it goes in after you are asleep, and I have my staff remove it before my patients wake up. But it's there when we need it! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

      Catheter placement is reasonable for bladder decompression and for monitoring of urine output in longer cases.                                                                                                                                  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question.  Each surgeon and facility have their own guidelines as to when and how long a patient should be catheterized based on the length of surgery and type of surgery they are having.  You did not mention the type of surgery you are having which may last five or six hours.  If the prospect of a Foley catheter frightens you, you should discuss your fears openly with your plastic surgeon so that he or she can explain their particular protocol to you.

You will need to ask your plastic surgeon this question.  But for any procedure that exceeds 3.5 hrs, I generally will have a foley catheter placed in the patient to avoid any problems with urinary retention.  The catheter is removed before the patient is awake.  

There are no clear set rules about placing a urinary catheter.   In cases that last more than 4 hours it can be beneficial.  

We catheterize any case over 3 hours. You will definitely need a catheter for 5-6 hr case.