Medena Catheters

Medena catheters serve a specific need that standard urinary catheters can't: draining and irrigating continent stomas and internal reservoirs. If you or someone you care for has had continent diversion surgery — a continent ileostomy (Kock pouch), a Barnett pouch, or a continent urinary reservoir — these are the plastic intubation catheters designed for that daily routine. Getting the right fit and understanding sizing matters more here than almost anywhere in catheter care, because the catheter passes through a surgically created valve rather than a natural channel.

The line is built around large-diameter French sizes not seen in ordinary catheterization. Medena catheters commonly run 24 Fr and 30 Fr, which reflects the wider caliber needed to clear ileal effluent and mucus without clogging. The Torbot Group Medena Ileostomy Catheter, 30 Fr., 12 inch is the workhorse for continent ileostomy pouch drainage, while the Torbot Medena Continent Catheter, 24 Fr, 12 inch, straight tip suits reservoirs or smaller stomas. The Astra/Medena Meditech Catheter, 30 Fr, straight end covers the same 30 Fr need from a comparable specification.

A few things buyers regularly ask: these are non-sterile catheters intended for clean, reusable intubation of an established stoma — not for indwelling use, and they don't include a retention balloon. The straight-end design and smooth plastic body are meant to pass easily through the pouch valve and be rinsed and reused per your surgeon's or WOC nurse's instructions. Because effluent is thick, the wide bore and 12-inch working length help you reach and empty the reservoir fully. Always match the French size your surgical team specified — going smaller can leave the pouch incompletely drained.

Continent-diversion supplies are a small, specialized corner of ostomy care, and stocking the exact size you rely on prevents anxious substitutions. Order the French size you know works, and keep a spare or two on hand so a lost or worn catheter never disrupts your routine.