Catheter insertion refers to the process of placing a catheter—a flexible, thin tube—into the body for medical purposes. This procedure can serve various diagnostic or therapeutic functions, depending on the type of catheter and its intended use.

Common types of catheter insertion include:

Urinary catheterization: Inserting a catheter into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine, commonly used for patients with urinary retention, during surgery, or for certain diagnostic procedures. Vascular catheterization: Inserting a catheter into a vein or artery, often for: Administering medications, fluids, or nutrition (e.g., intravenous catheters). Monitoring hemodynamic parameters. Performing interventions (e.g., cardiac catheterization for angioplasty). Gastrointestinal catheterization: Inserting a catheter into the stomach or intestines, such as a nasogastric tube for feeding or decompressing the stomach. Chest catheterization: Inserting a catheter into the pleural space to drain fluid or air (e.g., thoracostomy tube for pneumothorax). Other specialized catheters: Including peritoneal dialysis catheters or epidural catheters for pain management. Catheter insertion requires aseptic technique to prevent infection and may be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the procedure.