Retained Urethral Catheter: Novel Method of Removal Using Trans-rectal Ultrasound Guidance

Background: Urethral catheterization is a common procedure in medical practice. Retention of urethral catheter due to inability to deflate the balloon can be a distressing complication for the patient on prolonged indwelling urethral catheter. Several techniques have been devised for removal of such retained urethral catheters.

Objective: The aim of this study is to present our experience in the management of retained urethral catheters using trans-rectal ultrasound-guided balloon puncture at the Urology unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a prospective case series of five men referred to the unit with non–deflatable urethral catheters between July 2013 and January, 2014.

Results: Five men were referred with retained urethral catheters. The mean age of the patients was 46.4 years with a range of 25-80 years. Indications for catheterization were benign prostatic hyperplasia, burns, and paraplegia. All had successful catheter removal by ultrasound-guided balloon puncture.

Conclusion: Retained urethral catheter can be successfully managed by trans-rectal ultrasound guided balloon puncture which is minimally invasive and does not require regional or general anaesthesia.