Splinters in the urine

D D Buchanan1

  • 1Cottage Hospital, Anguilla, W.I.

Insights

A nine-year-old boy experienced urinary tract infections after a perineal injury. Doctors discovered and removed wooden splinters and cloth fragments from his urinary bladder.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Trauma Surgery

Background:

  • Penetrating injuries to the perineum can lead to complex urological complications.
  • Foreign bodies in the urinary tract pose a significant risk for infection and morbidity.

Observation:

  • A pediatric patient presented with recurrent urinary tract infections.
  • The patient reported a history of passing foreign material in the urine.
  • A nine-year-old boy sustained a penetrating perineal injury.

Findings:

  • Imaging and subsequent surgical exploration revealed a foreign body within the urinary bladder.
  • Splinters of wood and fragments of cloth were successfully removed via suprapubic cystotomy.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of thorough investigation for foreign bodies after penetrating trauma.
  • Underscores the potential for delayed urological complications from retained foreign material.
  • Emphasizes the need for prompt surgical intervention to prevent further morbidity.

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