- You will be transported back to your hospital room and the nursing staff will observe to make sure you are alright.
- The drainage catheter, if inserted, and depending on the reason for its insertion, may differ in the period that it remains. You will need to discuss with your doctor how long yours is required to be present. The main problem that can occur with the catheter is infection. Please note the instructions on the care of your nephrostomy / biliary catheter.
- You may eat and drink after the procedure
Care of your nephrostomy / biliary catheter
Infection can occur in two ways. They are skin infection and kidney/biliary infection which occurs when the catheter is blocked.
To minimise skin infection,
- Keep the skin around your catheter dry. You can take showers, but cover the area with plastic wrap. If the area gets wet, dry the skin completely after your shower.
- Keep the skin around the catheter clean. Clean the area every day with cotton swab that has been moistened with peroxide. Always wash your hands before cleaning the catheter site.
- Keep the skin around the catheter covered. Change the dressing if it gets wet.
Skin infection can be recognized by redness, soreness and swelling of the skin around the catheter.
To minimize kidney /bile duct infection,
- For the biliary catheter, flush with sterile saline as recommended, usually once a day.
- If the nephrostomy / biliary catheter drains urine /bile into an external drainage bag, rinse the bag out with water everyday.
- Keep your appointments to have your catheter changed every 2-3 months. Changing the catheter helps to prevent catheter blockage.
Catheter blockage can be recognized by pain and leakage of urine /bile around the catheter onto your skin and catheter dressing. Signs of infection include pain, fever and chills.