Fogarty catheter extraction of unusual urethral foreign bodies.

Abstract

The removal of multiple obstructing foreign bodies from the urethra of an acutely ill, elderly man is describe. A 4F Fogarty catheter under fluoroscopic guidance was used to manipulate, with slow traction, several clarified foreign bodies from the bulbar urethra to the meatus for extraction. The urethra was cleared rapidly, allowing drainage of retained, infected urine via a Foley catheter. Inspection of the objects revealed incrusted, friable masses consistent with nut shells. Some obstructive urethral foreign bodies can be expediently removed in the emergency setting with a fluoroscope and a Fogarty catheter in a well lubricated urethra. Self-insertion of foreign bodies into the urethra usually accompanies a psychiatric co-diagnosis, which should also be evaluated.