Isabella Guerrero Hurtado

Universidad del Valle, Colombia

Sterile water or saline solution for inflating the balloon of pediatric catheters

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Biography

Isabella Guerrero Hurtado is a nursing student at Universidad del Valle and a candidate for graduation from the School of Nursing. Her undergraduate thesis focuses on urinary catheterization, with a special interest in patient safety and clinical research. Passionate about evidence-based practice, she seeks to contribute to advancing nursing knowledge through investigation and innovation in clinical care.

Abstract

Urethral catheterization is a standard and essential procedure in pediatric care, yet clinical guidance on optimal practices for balloon inflation remains scarce. The article examines the use of sterile water versus saline solution in inflating catheter balloons during urethral catheterization in children. Most recommendations are extrapolated from adult populations, leaving pediatric patients at risk of variable practices and potentially avoidable complications. This experimental in vitro technovigilance study was designed to evaluate the safety and performance of catheter balloons when inflated with sterile water versus saline solution, simulating real-world conditions relevant to pediatric practice.

The results demonstrated that both sterile water and saline solution maintained adequate balloon integrity under experimental conditions, with no major failures or safety issues identified. Minor variations in handling characteristics were observed, but these did not translate into clinically significant differences in balloon stability. The findings suggest that either solution can be safely used for pediatric balloon inflation within the usual 15-day period, provided that institutional protocols ensure appropriate monitoring and documentation. However, crystalline deposits were observed in catheters filled with saline solution, suggesting that sterile water may represent a safer option.