Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI) after Surgery - Don't worry, let's talk about this simply!

Have you or someone in your family, perhaps your father, had to undergo surgery on the urinary system? Especially surgery on the prostate gland. After such a surgery, you may have been a little worried when the doctor said, "You need to wash your bladder for a few days now." What does "washing your bladder" mean? Is it painful? Why is it done? We will answer all those questions in this article today. There is no need to be afraid, this is a common procedure that is done most of the time.

What is Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI)?

Simply put, this involves using a special sterile liquid to continuously clean your bladder. At the same time, the urine and other things that build up in your bladder are also removed during this process. This is usually done in a hospital over a period of several days.

The main function of the urinary system is to filter waste products from our blood and excrete them as urine. The bladder is a balloon-like organ in this system. It is where urine accumulates for a short time.

Why do you need to do something like this?

The main and most common reason for this is to prevent and remove blood clots from forming inside the bladder after surgery on the urinary system.

Imagine that you have had a surgery to remove the prostate (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate or TURP). After such a surgery, there is a high chance that blood clots, tissue fragments, etc. will form inside the bladder. After surgery, urine is often drained through a tube, called a catheter. The aforementioned blood clots can get stuck in this urethra.

The CBI procedure is to wash out those blood clots and fragments, keeping the urinary tract clear.

Apart from that, CBI is used for several other reasons:

• Administer medications directly to the bladder.
• Dissolve some types of bladder stones.
• Soothe and heal the bladder wall that has become injured and sensitive due to infection or inflammation.

How does this process happen?

Although this process may seem a bit complicated, it happens very systematically.

First, insert the catheter.

Before starting CBI, you will need to have a special catheter inserted. This is not like a regular urethral catheter. It has three ports (a three-way catheter) . If you already have a catheter inserted because of surgery, you may need to replace it and insert this special catheter. The three ports work very simply:

1. Injecting saline solution: The saline solution is injected into the bladder through one port.

2. Urine and fluid out: Through the other port, the fluid inside the bladder (a mixture of urine and saline) is connected to a bag that collects it.

3. Holding the catheter: The third port is where a small balloon inside the catheter is inflated with water, keeping it stable inside the bladder without moving.

How the process works

This procedure is usually performed by a nurse or urologist. Two bags of saline solution are hung on a stand next to your bed. When one bag is finished, you can use the other.

Through this tube , the saline solution flows drop by drop into your bladder. At the same time, the urine and this solution mixture comes out of the other tube and collects in a bag on the side.

How are you feeling at this moment?

It is normal to feel a little uncomfortable with the catheter in place. Some people may feel like their bladder is full or they may feel like they need to urinate frequently. This is normal, so don't worry.

The most important thing is, never try to pull the catheter out. If you feel unbearable pain, or if you see fluid leaking from the catheter site, let your nurse or doctor know right away.

Are there any risks or complications with this?

This is a very safe procedure in most cases, as all the equipment used is sterile. However, there are some rare complications that can occur.

• Catheter blockage: A blood clot can get stuck in the tube. The doctor or nurse will then clean it out or insert a new one.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Even though this is a sterile procedure, very rarely bacteria can get inside and cause an infection.
• Paraphimosis: An uncircumcised man's foreskin can become trapped behind his penis. This is also very rare.
• Bladder perforation: This is a very rare, serious complication.

When should I seek medical advice?

After the CBI is over, the catheter is removed, and you go home, there are some things you need to take care of.

After you get home, if you experience any of these symptoms while urinating, notify your doctor immediately:

• If there is blood in the urine.
• If you experience burning or severe pain when urinating.
• If you feel like you can't urinate or if you only urinate very little.
• If you have severe pain in your lower abdomen.
• If you have a fever .

If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

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