Post-TURP, which catheter is used for continuous bladder irrigation?

• A. Foley catheter
• B. Three-way indwelling urinary catheter
• C. Urethral catheter
• D. Suprapubic catheter

Answer: (B)

After TURP, continuous bladder irrigation is used to prevent blood clots from forming in the bladder and to keep the urine clear. The catheter that enables this is a three-way indwelling catheter, because it has a separate lumen dedicated to irrigation in addition to the lumen for urine drainage and the balloon. This irrigation channel allows a steady flow of sterile saline into the bladder while urine drains out, preventing occlusion and ensuring the post-op irrigation can be controlled. A standard Foley catheter or other urethral catheters lack an irrigation port, so they aren’t suitable for continuous bladder irrigation. A suprapubic catheter drains the bladder but isn’t used specifically for the irrigation function needed after TURP. Thus, the three-way catheter is the correct choice.