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Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity

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The purple bag syndrome.

Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien

|February 5, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Plastic catheters and urine bags may turn purple due to indigo, a tryptophan byproduct found in urine. This phenomenon, similar to purple diapers, suggests a link between gut bacteria and urine color changes.

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Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity

Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity

Published on: December 21, 2012

Area of Science:

Medical Case Reports
Urology
Biochemistry

Background:

Unusual purple discoloration of medical devices like urethral catheters and urine bags has been observed.
This phenomenon is analogous to the 'purple urine bag syndrome' seen in pediatric patients.
The underlying cause of such discoloration is not always clear but is suspected to involve metabolic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To report an unusual case of purple discoloration in plastic disposable urethral catheters and urine collecting bags.
To investigate the potential causes of this discoloration.
To explore the link between gastrointestinal metabolism and urinary excretion of colored compounds.

Main Methods:

Detailed clinical observation and documentation of the case.
Literature review of analogous cases, particularly 'purple urine bag syndrome'.
Biochemical analysis to identify potential causative agents in the urine.

Main Results:

The case involved significant purple discoloration of both the urethral catheter and the urine collecting bag.
Investigation suggested the presence of indigo in the urine.
Indigo was identified as a likely degradation product of tryptophan originating from the bowel lumen.

Conclusions:

The purple discoloration of plastic medical devices can be attributed to the presence of specific compounds in the urine.
Tryptophan metabolism in the bowel lumen, leading to indigo formation, is a plausible cause for this phenomenon.
This case highlights the importance of considering metabolic pathways in explaining unexpected changes in medical device appearance.