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An unusual foreign body in the urinary bladder: The art of management

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Hellenic Journal of Surgery

Abstract

Introduction

Foreign bodies in the urinary bladder have been widely reported in the medical literature and include needles, bullets etc. However, a mobile phone charger cable in the bladder has not yet been reported. We report the case of a patient with a mobile charger cable in the urinary bladder. The patient was not able to retrieve it later because of knotting. Beyond primary management, the role of the surgeon also extends to educating such patients against repeating similar acts in the future. They should also refer the patient to a complete psychiatric evaluation and at the same time investigate the emotional background and circumstances under which the act was committed.

Case Presentation

A 36-year-old male patient was admitted to our department complaining of haematuria and the inability to void. On examination, the cable end could not be seen at the external urethral meatus. A plain X-ray of the KUB region revealed a radiopaque cable knotted within the urinary bladder.

Discussion

Foreign bodies inside the urinary bladder can be classified as migratory, iatrogenic and inserted. They may present with features of bladder obstruction, irritation as well as haematuria and complications that include recurrent infections, urinary retention, fistulae and even death due to sepsis.Diagnostic modalities include X-rays and ultrasonography, as well as urography and cystoscopy in selected cases.

Conclusion

A wide multitude of foreign bodies can be inserted into the urinary bladder. Such patients usually suffer from psychiatric problems, hence a thorough psychiatric assessment is needed. Endoscopic removal is the treatment of choice with open surgical removal reserved for endoscopic failure cases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, B.R. Singh Hospital and Centre for Medical Education and Research, Eastern Railways, Kolkata, India

    Syed Tausif Ahmed & Azhar Alam

  2. 18 C, Smith Lane, 4th Floor, Kolkata, 700013, India

    Azhar Alam

Authors
  1. Syed Tausif Ahmed
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  2. Azhar Alam
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Correspondence to Azhar Alam.

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Ahmed, S.T., Alam, A. An unusual foreign body in the urinary bladder: The art of management. Hellenic J Surg 88, 234–237 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-016-0324-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-016-0324-8

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