condom catheter

Proper positioning and secure attachment of urinary drainage bags are essential components of effective catheter management that significantly impact patient comfort, system functionality, and complication prevention. When patients require urinary catheterization, either through indwelling (Foley) catheters or external collection systems, the drainage bag must be positioned correctly to ensure unobstructed urine flow while minimizing the risk of reflux, infection, and accidental dislodgement. The image demonstrates the recommended technique for securing a leg bag to the thigh of an ambulatory patient with a condom catheter.

The condom catheter, also known as an external urinary catheter, represents a non-invasive alternative to indwelling urethral catheterization for male patients requiring urinary management. This external collection device consists of a flexible sheath that fits over the penis, connected to a drainage tube that channels urine to a collection bag. Unlike internal catheters that require insertion through the urethra into the bladder, condom catheters remain entirely external, significantly reducing the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and urethral trauma.