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Updated: May 29, 2026
08:09
Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Urethral erosion: a case for prevention.
Jillian Cipa-Tatum1, Michelle Kelly-Signs, Khosrow Afsari
1Graduate of Touro University College of Medicine, Vallejo, California, USA. jillian.cipa-tatum@tu.edu
Summary
Properly securing indwelling urinary catheters prevents serious complications like urethral erosion. However, compliance with this simple preventive measure remains alarmingly low in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Medical Device Safety
Background:
- Long-term urethral catheterization poses risks including urethral erosion, penile erosion, meatal erosion, and tissue necrosis.
- These adverse events are associated with indwelling urinary devices.
Observation:
- A case report details a 63-year-old male with a urinary catheter that eroded through the urethra and penile skin.
- The patient presented with fevers and possible infection around a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube.
- A hospital-wide audit revealed 34% of patients had Foley catheters, with only 18% properly secured.
Findings:
- A significant proportion of patients in the facility utilized indwelling urinary catheters.
- Low compliance with securing urinary catheters was observed, despite its preventive benefits.
- Catheter erosion and associated complications can occur due to improper device management.
Implications:
- Properly securing indwelling catheters is a critical, yet often overlooked, preventive measure against severe complications.
- Improving compliance with catheter securement protocols is essential for patient safety in healthcare facilities.
- Healthcare providers must reinforce best practices for urinary catheter management to mitigate device-related injuries.
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