DIY - Urinary Drain Bag Tubing Extension

If you use a urinary drainage bag, urinary leg bag or night drainage bag you may want to shorten or lengthen the tubing that comes installed on the bag.

Reasons You May Want to Shorten:

• Easier to clean and disinfect

• Eliminate excess tubing

• Use your urinary drainage bag while seated

• Use Quick Disconnect Fittings so you can add and subtract lengths of tubing as desired and when needed.

Reasons You May Want to Lengthen:

• Use urinary drainage bag at foot of bed versus off to one side.

  • Makes it easier to sleep in multiple positions without pulling on the tubing

  • Relocate urinary drainage bag to location in your room more convenient to you.

Whatever your reason is for wanting to lengthen or shorten the tubing, we will walk you through the steps involved. There is usually more than one way to do something, so if you have a better way that you have found works well for you, please comment below.

Tools Recommended:

1. Tubing Cutter, knife, scissors, or razor blade to cut the tubing.

Materials:

1. Urinary Drainage Bag or Leg Bag. (We will show how using a Coloplast Urinary Drainage Bag, it is the same for other styles, the tubing will just look different.)

2. Clear, Flexible PVC Tubing 5/16 inch ID x 7/16" OD

3. Barbed tube fittings. (If using 5/16" tubing to extend use fitting sizes below)

   1. Bag Brand: Hollister, Bard, Bardia 3/8" x 3/8" barb connector Quantity 2

   2. Bag Brand: Coloplast; 3/8" x 1/4" barbed reducer Quantity 2

   3. You will need two barbed fittings if lengthening.

4. Hot Tap Water

Note: Tubing sizes are based on my experience. You can use whatever tubing sizes you prefer. Just adjust barbed fitting sizes accordingly. I prefer a tighter fit and no clamps. Which, in my experience is best for comfort and secure connections. However, it will require more effort to push the fitting onto the tubing. Contact us at info@chameleonostomy.com if you would like us to attach the fittings for you.

Instructions for Lengthening:

1. Cut the tubing that runs into the top of your preferred urinary drainage bag. I cut mine between 6-20 inches from the top of the bag when using Quick Disconnect Fittings. When using standard reducer or connector fittings I will cut the tubing near the free end (if lengthening) and where desired (if shortening). Make the cut as straight as possible.

Figure 1. Cut Tubing. (Shown Coloplast Tubing - Note: Cut at top of the non-corrugated section as shown.)

Figure 2. Close up of where to make the cut. You want to insert the fitting into the straight section of tubing, not the corrugated/ribbed section.

2. Fill a small container with hot water, I use hot water from the tap. Be careful to not burn yourself.

Figure 3. Hot Tap Water in small container (Shown Soaking End of Tubing)

3. Soak the end of the tubing you are inserting the fitting into, in the container of hot tap water. Be careful not to burn yourself. Soak for 30-60 seconds.

4. Pick up the tubing and barbed fitting. Insert the fitting into the tubing and press the fitting into the tubing. The ribbed section of tubing (Coloplast) will compress, that is ok.

Figure 4. Inserting the Fitting into the tubing. Shown: 1/4 x 3/8 antimicrobial barbed reducer.

5. Continue pushing until the tubing slides over the last barb. Shown is minimum recommend amount of tubing over last barb. This step can be challenging for some. If needed, soak the tubing for longer time. You can also hold the fitting and tubing with a small cloth to provide more grip. If you are unable to make the connection, contact us at info@chameleonostomy.com and we will help.

Figure 5. Minimum Recommended Insertion Into Tubing.

6. Make the remaining connections using the same procedure in steps 3 through 5.

Figure 6. Fully Connected Fitting.

Note: the most common failure point for Hollister connections is where the Hollister adapter attaches to the Hollister tubing. Over time, the Hollister tubing will stretch and will no longer securely hold the plastic adapter to the tubing. You can use "super glue" to secure the fitting at this point. Or, simply replace the adapter fitting. Adapters are provided in each box of Hollister Urostomy Pouches.

Figure 7. Hollister Urostomy Bag Adapter - Can fail where top plastic piece inserts into the tubing. Failure can also occur where the tabs connect as shown in photo.

Accessories:

1. Quick Disconnect Fittings attach the same way and have a barb on one side only. Using Quick Disconnect Fittings allows you to add or remove sections of tubing with the push of a button.

2. Tube Covers - The Chameleon Ostomy Tube Sock is a comfortable tube cover that you pull over the assembled tubing. Made from super soft and highly absorbant sustainable organic Hemp Fabric, it is a great way to keep the plastic tubing from coming direct contact with your legs while you sleep.

In Use: The image below shows a Hollister Urinary Drainage Bag with custom tubing extensions using QD Fittings. This set up allows you to use the bag while seated (for example while driving or riding in a car) then extend the tubing for use as a night drainage bag. The shorter lengths of tubing make cleaning a breeze with our 20 inch flexible stainless steel / nylon bristle tube cleaning brush. The Tube Sock shown, lower right of image, allows you to cover the tubing and keep it off your skin while sleeping.

The Cherry On Top: For maximum flexibility, concealment, and use, pair your adjustable tubing set up with the Chameleon Ostomy Privy Bag, a Urinary Drainage Bag Cover, Case, Carry Bag that also doubles as a Night Drainage Bag Holder. See the Privy Bag Details Page for More Information on the Unique Features of this Bag.