Three-Way Catheter

Objectives: To evaluate in an in vitro study the irrigation and drainage capabilities of a variety of available catheters. Three-way Foley catheters are used when irrigation of the bladder is anticipated to prevent or manage blood clots in the bladder.

Methods: Six operators applied maximal one-handed pressure irrigation with a catheter-tip syringe through the irrigation and drainage ports of the Bardex and Dover three-way catheters (16F to 26F). Maximal manual irrigation flow was recorded using a flowmeter. Continuous gravity irrigation and drainage flows were measured by suspending a 2-L irrigation bag 80 cm above the catheters and fastening an artificial bladder to the drainage tip of each Foley catheter with the catheter balloon inflated to 30 mL.