A 71-year-old man who experienced a broken silicone rubber rod in his bladder during self-catheterization required minimally invasive endoscopic removal, according to a case report published in UroPrecision. The procedure prevented open surgery for the patient, who presented to the emergency department with a urinary tract infection and elevated inflammatory markers.
Urogenital Foreign Bodies and Clinical Presentation
Foreign bodies in the urogenital tract represent surgical emergencies carrying distinct risks of obstruction, infection, and tissue perforation. According to medical literature cited in the case report, objects introduced into the urethra can easily migrate into the bladder. Recorded items span a wide range, from pens to magnetic ball chains. Data shows these occurrences are roughly twice as common in men than in women, a disparity largely explained by the longer and more segmented male urethra.
The patient in this case had a prior history of urethral stricture following a transurethral resection of the prostate. When the silicone rubber rod fractured during self-catheterization, it lodged inside his body. Laboratory evaluations revealed extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli alongside elevated inflammatory markers. While an initial pelvic X-ray proved unrevealing, a subsequent computed tomography scan successfully identified a 5.24 cm by 1.15 cm rectangular foreign body in the anterior bladder, complete with air entrapment.
Did you know? According to clinical literature, urogenital foreign bodies occur roughly twice as frequently in male patients compared to female patients due to the anatomical length and segmentation of the male urethra.
Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Extraction Techniques
Medical teams rely on advanced imaging and specialized instrumentation to avoid invasive open surgeries when extracting intravesical objects. In this case, treating clinicians utilized a 22 French cystoscope to locate the rectangular silicone rod inside the bladder. They then crushed the object using a 25 French stone punch (Myomayer) and extracted the resulting fragments through the urethra using crocodile forceps.
Following the extraction, providers placed a 16 French Foley catheter. A repeat inspection confirmed that no residual fragments remained in the patient’s bladder. The authors of the UroPrecision report noted that the patient recovered cleanly without any infectious or urinary complications, returning for a scheduled follow-up one week later. This outcome highlights how tailored endoscopic approaches can minimize patient morbidity when guided by precise diagnostic imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do urogenital foreign bodies require emergency care?
According to clinical findings, objects in the urogenital tract carry high risks of severe infection, tissue perforation, and urinary obstruction, requiring prompt medical intervention.
How are objects typically removed from the bladder?
Depending on the material, size, and shape of the object, urologists frequently employ minimally invasive endoscopy—such as cystoscopes, stone punches, and specialized forceps—to fragment and extract items without open surgery.
Why are these cases more common in men?
Medical literature indicates that foreign body migration is roughly twice as common in men than in women, primarily due to the longer and more complex structure of the male urethra.