What is a suprapubic catheter?

A tube that drains urine from the bladder through a small opening in the lower tummy, below the navel, rather than through the urethra. It is held in by an inflated balloon and drains into the same leg bag, night bag or valve as a urethral catheter.

Why choose a suprapubic over a urethral catheter?

It can be more comfortable and less prone to infection for long-term use, is chosen when the urethra is damaged or narrowed, preserves the urethra, and can be more practical — including for wheelchair users and for staying sexually active, as it is not in the way. Your urologist advises.

What do I do if my suprapubic catheter falls out?

Act immediately — the tract can begin to close within a short time, making replacement difficult. Contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible, and go to A&E out of hours. Do not try to force a catheter back in yourself; it needs prompt, trained replacement.

When is a suprapubic catheter first changed?

The first change is always done by a professional at the hospital or clinic that placed it, once the tract has healed and matured — commonly around a month or more, though your team confirms the timing. Later changes happen at set intervals, usually done by your nurse.

How do I care for the suprapubic site?

Wash the skin around the tube once or twice a day as advised, keeping it clean and dry, and avoid creams, antiseptics or talc. A little granulation tissue around the opening is common and treatable. Report spreading redness, discharge or swelling, which can signal infection.

Suprapubic Catheter: What to Expect in Singapore

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 28 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

A suprapubic catheter drains the bladder through a small opening in the lower tummy rather than through the urethra. It is often chosen for long-term drainage because it can be more comfortable and less prone to certain problems. Knowing why it may be recommended, how it is placed, and — importantly — what to do if it comes out makes living with one much more straightforward. This guide covers what to expect.

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In a medical emergency, or for severe or sudden symptoms such as breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or stroke signs, call 995 immediately.

This is general information and does not replace your team’s advice. If a suprapubic catheter falls out, the opening can begin to close quickly — contact your team immediately or go to A&E to have it replaced. Seek urgent help if no urine drains with lower tummy pain or swelling, and call 995 for a high fever with shivering or confusion.

What a suprapubic catheter is

A suprapubic catheter is a hollow, flexible tube that drains urine from the bladder through a small opening made in the lower tummy, a little below the navel, rather than through the urethra. Like a urethral catheter, it is held in the bladder by an inflated balloon, and it drains into the same kinds of leg bag, night bag or valve. The opening on the tummy is called the stoma or tract.

Why it may be chosen

A suprapubic catheter may be recommended instead of a urethral one for several reasons. The Bladder & Bowel Community notes it can be more comfortable and less likely to cause infection than a long-term urethral catheter. It is often chosen when the urethra is damaged or narrowed, when drainage is needed long term, to preserve the urethra, and because it can be more practical — including for people who use a wheelchair and for those who wish to remain sexually active, as it is not in the way. Your urologist will explain why it suits you.

The procedure

Placing a suprapubic catheter is a small surgical procedure, usually done under local or general anaesthetic. Afterwards there is a small dressing over the site, and some tenderness is normal for the first days as it settles. You will be shown how to look after the site and manage the drainage before you go home, and given contact details for your team. It is normal to feel cautious at first; confidence grows quickly with the routine. Many people who move from a long-term urethral catheter to a suprapubic one find it more comfortable day to day, and appreciate that the urethra is left free.

The first change and the tract

The first change of a suprapubic catheter is always done by a professional, at the hospital or clinic that placed it, once the tract through the tummy has healed and matured — commonly cited as around a month or more, though your team confirms the timing. After that, changes happen at intervals set by the team, usually carried out by your nurse. Once the tract is well established, changes are quick and straightforward.

The key safety point — if it falls out

This is the single most important thing to know: if a suprapubic catheter comes out unexpectedly, the tract can begin to close within a short time, making it hard to replace. So a replacement must be inserted promptly. The Bladder & Bowel Community advises contacting your doctor or nurse as soon as possible, and going to A&E out of hours. Do not wait, and do not try to force a catheter back in yourself — this is a job for the trained team, done quickly.

Site care and granulation

Caring for the site is simple: wash the skin around the tube once or twice a day, as your team advises, keeping it clean and dry, and avoid creams, antiseptics or talc on it. Sometimes a little extra tissue — called granulation tissue — grows around the opening; this is common and, if it bleeds easily or gets in the way, a healthcare professional can treat it. Report spreading redness, soreness, discharge or swelling around the site, which can signal infection. Once you are used to the routine, site care takes only a minute or two a day and quickly becomes part of washing. Many people say the suprapubic site is easier to keep clean and comfortable than they first expected.

Red flags

Seek help promptly for: a suprapubic catheter that has come out (urgent — the tract closes quickly); no urine draining with lower tummy pain or swelling (a possible blockage); heavy bleeding or blood clots; or signs of infection such as fever, feeling hot and shivery, tummy or groin pain, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or new confusion. Call 995 for a high fever with shivering, new confusion or feeling very unwell. In Singapore, keep your urology or continence team’s number to hand, and know your nearest A&E for out-of-hours catheter problems.

Sources

Bladder & Bowel Community — Suprapubic catheter: bladderandbowel.org
NHS — Urinary catheters: types: nhs.uk
NHS — Urinary catheters: risks: nhs.uk
Bladder & Bowel Community — What is a catheter: bladderandbowel.org

General information only. This guide supports — but does not replace — the advice of your urology team and continence nurse, who train you and tailor catheter care to you. Always follow your own team’s plan. Seek urgent help if no urine drains and your lower tummy becomes painful or swollen (a possible blockage), or if a suprapubic catheter falls out (the opening can begin to close quickly). Call 995 for a high fever with shivering, confusion or feeling very unwell (a possible urine infection in the blood), or — in someone with a spinal cord injury — a sudden pounding headache with flushing and sweating (autonomic dysreflexia). If you are struggling emotionally, you are not alone — the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) are on 1767 and mindline.sg on 1771.

Suprapubic Catheter: What to Expect (Singapore)