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Spontaneous intravesical knotting of urethral catheter
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi-110002.
APSP Journal of Case Reports
|September 7, 2012
Insights
Infant feeding tubes (IFT) are commonly used as urethral catheters in children. A rare but serious complication is spontaneous knotting within the bladder, as seen in three pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Medical Device Complications
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Infant feeding tubes (IFT) are frequently employed as urethral catheters in neonates and pediatric patients.
- This practice has been standard for decades, generally considered safe for urinary catheterization.
Observation:
- A significant, though uncommon, morbidity associated with IFT use is spontaneous knotting within the urinary bladder.
- This case series details three instances of this complication.
Findings:
- The study reports three pediatric cases where infant feeding tubes spontaneously knotted inside the bladder.
- The affected patients included a neonate and two older children, highlighting the potential risk across different pediatric age groups.
Implications:
- This complication, while rare, underscores the need for vigilance during and after the use of IFT as urethral catheters in children.
- Awareness among healthcare providers is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management of such events to prevent potential harm.
Abstract:
Infant feeding tubes (IFT) have been universally used as urethral catheters in neonates and children for several decades. Though generally a safe procedure, it may cause significant morbidity if the catheter spontaneously knots inside the bladder. We report this complication in three children including a neonate.
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