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Percutaneous bladder catheterization in microgravity.

Jeffrey A Jones1, Andrew W Kirkpatrick, Douglas R Hamilton

  • 1Space Life Science Directorate, National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, Texas 77058, USA.

The Canadian Journal of Urology
|May 1, 2007
PubMed
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Astronauts can now undergo ultrasound-guided percutaneous bladder catheterization in microgravity. This technique successfully drained a blocked bladder in a porcine model, offering a vital solution for space missions.

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.

Related Experiment Videos

  • 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.