Risk of continuous bladder irrigation in the monoplace hyperbaric chamber: a cautionary tale

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Medical Device Safety

Background:

• Continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) is a medical procedure used to maintain bladder patency.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber.
• Previous methods combined CBI with HBOT using an infusion pump.

Observation:

• A case report details a patient with hemorrhagic radiation cystitis who experienced bladder rupture during CBI in a hyperbaric chamber.
• The use of an IV pump for CBI in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber poses a risk of iatrogenic bladder rupture.

Findings:

• The previously published method of using an IV pump for CBI in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber is retracted due to safety concerns.
• Iatrogenic bladder rupture is a significant risk associated with pump-infused CBI in hyperbaric environments.

Implications:

• Healthcare providers should avoid using IV pumps for CBI within hyperbaric chambers.
• Alternative methods, such as gravity-fed CBI systems, should be considered.
• Delaying HBOT until CBI is no longer necessary may be a safer approach for patients requiring both interventions.