Ok, so I've seen pictures of these catheters now and I kinda get the jist I think. Works like a syphon, correct?
Its impossible to tell exactly how big they are. So I'm wondering, are they bigger (diameter-wise) than an average drinking straw? Could you roll a pea down it or would it not fit? And if (God forbid) a piece of food was too large to fit through the catheter does that mean its stuck inside? How would they get it out? I know, CHEW CHEW CHEW I'm just really curious, want to go into this eyes wide open, you know?
Oh, and are your catheters flexible or straight and why do you prefer them that way? I hunted for a picture of the famous Weber-Judd and couldn't fine one!

Well I am sure others will respond with more educated ideas than I can. I will start it off though. I use a 30french catheter which is what the Cleveland Clinic sends you home with. That means that it is probably about the size around as a pee. So while a small pee might be able to roll down it, with everything else coming out, it would likely get stuck along the way.

I imagine that the digestive juices continue to do their work if a piece of food is to large to fit into the catheter (this is just a guess though).

My catheter is flexible, though sometimes I wish it wasnt so flexible. Once you are intubating, things are a piece of cake. Getting the catheter past the internal valve can take time and patience sometimes (especially when you are gassy and really need to evacuate. This is when patience comes in handy). I have been thinking about ordering the Weber Judd to give it a try, but with all of my other medical expenses of late, decided I would put it off for awhile.

Mike S

when i was researching it i definitely had the same questions as you did, so if i could help out, i'd be glad.
i was also sent home from cleveland with a 30 french marlen catheter. worked just fine most the time (remember, i'm the kpouch/chemo girl so i had problems you probably won't)

I don't think a pea would fit down the marlen, but the weber-judd catheter (the one they use to hook you up to 'constant drainage' which is what you have the first three weeks out from surgery) is slightly larger, and maybe it could.

i think the marlen is maybe comparable to a drinking straw. it's flexible, but not totally pliable (it does have some rigidity to it, though you can curl it to fit in a bag, etc)

The weber judd one is ALOT more pliable, and has larger holes. (which i guess is a good thing?)

personally, i like the catheter just a bit more firm then the weber judd, simply for the act of actually getting it in. (i've noticed the weber judd, if i have alot of gas or pressure, will take me a tad bit longer to get in b/c it kinda buckles at the holes. but it's a minimal issue at best.)

http://www.Torbot.com

Torbot sells the Medena catheter...30 French, and it is slightly stiffer than the other caths and has a hole in the tip and two large holes on the side of the cath... It may come in the 24 French, as well - I can't remember.

Oh, and if you buy a package of 25, they cost around $6 or so each. It was the original cath designed by Dr. Nils Kock who developed the Kock pouch and the caths are still made in Sweden today.

Ok I have a question, What does it mean when it says "30 french, 24 french" or whatever
I have a 30 french catheter and I'm looking for more because where I get my supplies stopped making the one I like best and I like a curved catheter but not one thats so long. Is french the length in centimeters maybe?

The 30 French or 29 French is the diameter of the catheter, it has nothing to do with the length. A 30 French is alittle bigger around in diameter than a 29 French. The bigger the French# the bigger the diameter of the catheter, between a 30 French and 29 French there really isn't that much difference. The length of a catheter can be cut to the length you like for your convenience.

Ok, I don't quite think I understand the multiple holes part. Is there a hole at each end and then some holes along the side? What are all the holes for? Kinda sounds like a flexible flute does stool come out all the holes? And do more of you flush with a syringe plunger thingy (techincal, I know) or with the bulb baby booger thingy
Do some of you find that the bigger caths do not fit in your stoma? or if they are smaller does the stoma sort squeeze around the cath?

Some caths have a hole in the tip and some don't. All have two or three holes on the side and yes - that is to let the stool escape.

You can use a bulb syringe or the plunger type to irrigate the pouch and / or flush out the catheter.

The holes facilitate drainage. The holes are at the end that goes inside your pouch. I get my catheters at www.continentostomystore.com. They use to have pictures on their website of all the various brands. I have not ordered in awhile so I hope this is still an accurate statement.