Percutaneous bladder catheterization in microgravity

Area of Science:

• Space Medicine
• Medical Devices
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Urinary obstruction is a risk in spaceflight, exacerbated by antiemetics and microgravity.
• Conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia increase urinary obstruction risk for astronauts.
• Untreated urinary obstruction can lead to crew emergency returns from orbit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided percutaneous bladder catheterization in microgravity.
• To establish a method for managing urinary obstruction in space exploration missions.

Main Methods:

• A porcine model with induced urethral occlusion was used during parabolic flights.
• Ultrasound guidance was employed for suprapubic puncture and drainage of the bladder.
• A pigtail catheter was inserted through the anterior bladder wall in microgravity.

Main Results:

• Successful ultrasound-guided percutaneous bladder puncture and catheterization were achieved in microgravity.
• The procedure successfully drained the bladder without injury to surrounding organs.
• This demonstrates a new capability for managing urinary tract obstruction in space.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous bladder catheterization under ultrasound guidance is feasible in weightless conditions.
• Ultrasound offers a portable, safe method for minimally invasive procedures in space.
• This technique is a viable adaptation for space medicine when standard catheterization fails.