Hi I'm new to k-pouch korner...i had ileo done in 1981 and k-pouch in 1985 in santa monica ca...i had a valve revision june 2007 at scripps memorial in san diego by dr. launer...i have always used the argyle nasopharnyngeal airway for a catheter..when i went to scripps they gave me the long medena catheters with these tiny holes in them. It took so long to empty..my argyle is simple...just takes me a few minutes and i'm finished. The argyle is 6 inches long...a naturally curved airway...also soft and flexible..easy to clean...so much information on this site...this is great...thanks...

wow! Thank you so much. My son has k pouch and catheters can be tricky. I will def order the ones you mention to try. Who makes it? Where do you buy them? We use Edgepark, I hope they have them.
That's a long time success before valve repair.
Nice to meet you.
Holly
I will put you in my buddies so I don't lose you!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: "FLGF",

Hi Holly..
The catheters are made by nellcor corp....the last time i actually got them on ebay...i just entered catheters...and they were there...i was the only bid, so for $20.00 i received 50 airways...very cool...the other times i ordered them i went through my pharmacy and had them order them up...i don't know how long other people keep their catheters...but i use these over and over for a long time...yes they look bad, but i don't care...i have 2 friends in my area who went to the same doctor and they use the same airway..i believe one of them goes to kaiser and insurance pays..these are 8mm and 32 fr...(the size)nice chatting to u

32 Fr. is a bit large for some people. Most use the Medena, 30 Fr. size. They have a large hole in the tip and two good size holes on the side of the cath. Some store them in the fridge so they will be a bit stiff...use plenty of lube and go slowly...rotating back and forth as you enter.

Why would you want them to be stiff...seems like it would hurt to insert them...i never use the lubricant..these airways are nice and soft..the airways come in different sizes...from 36 down to 28 or so...i never have difficulty getting them in..the only time was when my valve needed to be repaired...that was a sign...

I am always in search of an easier way for my son to intubate.
He has tried many catheters, currently using the marlen 30 fr which is what he left cleveland clinic with after the k pouch surgery in may 06. after the revision in may 07 things changed and another repair in sept 07 left him experimenting. I will order some tomorrow for him to have on hand. You never know with this as it is so new to him and I really appreciate the information!
Nice to have you on the site!PS He does cut the marlen to suit his comfort.

The dream catheter is one that allows you to empty in a split second.
You said the 'airway' is 6 in. long.
In the past (curiosity) I've measured how far my cath goes into my pouch...and it goes in 6 inches,
So if I were to use the 'airway' you use, there wouldn't be additional tubing extending out of the stoma to direct into to the toilet.
Is this correct? Is it different for you?

Yep Yep...the catheter goes in all the way..this was Dr. Sung's thought when he created my pouch..he didn't want the pushing and shoving of a long catheter into a delicate area. I'm sure every surgeon has their own technique. I simply take some toilet paper, double it up, drape it down from my stoma to the bowl..and just insert catheter all the way...you empty along the paper to avoid splashing..when finished drop toilet paper into bowl..when I tried the long medena catheter that dr. launer gave me for the revision, i had to pick out all the food particles from 3 holes..we all probably get use to what we are using...creatures of habit...so nice to know that many k-pouchers are out there..

Why don't you try and empty into a big plastic container. I use a plastic casino cup that was designed for coins from the slot machines. It is easy to empty, clean and will not splash unless you allow it to fill up. I got dozens of these for free when the slots dispensed coins.
You could also go to a hardware store and buy a length of plastic tubing that is just a little bigger than your airway. Slip this over the end of your catheter and it will reach closer to the toilet. It can be rinsed out and reused many times before being replaced. That stuff is very inexpensive.
I hope that some of this is helpful to you.

I called edgepark and they are in the process of trying to get them special ordered in so I can purchase them. My ins co requires a letter from the dr stating what supplies chris needs and catheters are covered, not necessary to say which one as he switches, that is kept on file and not needed everytime he changes.
Chris finds the best way is on one knee so I don't think a shorter cath will make any difference to him either as he cuts the marlens now.

But what I am wondering is, is there a reason why the Medena, Marlen, and other catheters supposedly made specifically for the K-pouch, all have a bullet end and holes on the sides, despite that such slows down the emptying process and causes at least sometimes the need to pick out food particles that get stuck from that design? I can't help thinking that there must be a safety or other reason; otherwise, why were the K-pouch catheters all designed that way? Is there any potential danger using the "regular" open-ended catheters? Has anyone questioned any of the K-pouch "kings" (i.e., Dr. Fazio or the few others) about this?

With the first Kock I used the the three hole, with the opening at the tip, catheter all the time.
I never had a problem.
For some reason, this time around, the bullet tip goes in more easily. With the three hole I am experiencing trauma to the valve which I am not with the bullet tip.Every once in awhile I while try again hoping for a different outcome but have not been successful yet.
Go figure! In the mean while I will stick with what works for me. Guess that's why there are choices

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lesrich1,

I use the Medena, 30 Fr. size. It has a hole in the tip and two nice sized holes on the side - for easy emptying.

The Medena catheter was designed in Sweden by the late Dr. Nils Kock - the creator of the first continent pouch in the late 1960's.

I'm thinking along the lines of lcolche...they should come up with some nice wide open-ended catheters to make emptying fast and easy....the one I use is the fastest for me..i commute between 2 homes that are 5 hours apart...i'm use to emptying in public places...i don't lubricate or flush...takes 2 long..i like to backpack, cross-country ski..carrying a casino bucket or extra long tube that I would have to clean...just 2 much trouble..the last box of airways I got on ebay of all places...I still have them...50 for $20.00...the kock pouch invented in 1960...now we are in 2008..so it seems as though new and better catheters should be explored...

Ok, I'm a quasi k-poucher, really a j-pouch with a bad sphincter, so I have to treat my j-pouch like a k-pouch.

I need a list of catheters brand/manufacturers BADLY so I can get one overnighted to me.

Another question: when you guys are talking about a 30fr, are saying inside diameter or outside diameter of 30fr?