A Simple and Quick Solution to the Retained Traumatic Urethral Catheter

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Device Technology
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Urinary catheter retention, particularly with undeflatable balloons, presents a significant clinical challenge.
• Standard removal techniques, including flexible cystoscopy, may fail in cases of traumatic catheterization or balloon malfunction.
• Medically complex patients often require specialized approaches due to comorbidities.

Observation:

• A case of a misplaced urinary catheter in the bulbar urethra with a non-deflating balloon is presented.
• Initial attempts at bedside deflation and flexible cystoscopy were unsuccessful.
• The retained catheter was located distal to the prostate gland.

Findings:

• A transperineal ultrasound-guided puncture of the catheter balloon was performed.
• This technique allowed for successful deflation and removal of the retained catheter.
• The procedure was simple, quick, and effective in resolving the obstruction.

Implications:

• Transperineal ultrasound-guided balloon puncture offers a valuable alternative for managing retained urinary catheters.
• This method should be considered in cases where conventional removal methods fail.
• It provides a minimally invasive solution to a potentially stressful clinical scenario, improving patient outcomes.