A rare complication of suprapubic catheterisation following pelvic reconstructive surgery for urinary incontinence

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Sep 7:2012:bcr0220125758. doi: 10.1136/bcr.02.2012.5758.

Abstract

Suprapubic (SP) catheterisation is commonly used for drainage of the bladder following pelvic surgery. Although it is a widely employed procedure, it is not without complications, such as infection and blockage. The authors report a rare complication of SP catheterisation involving a persistent SP catheter site fistulous tract and an infected haematoma significantly complicating a patient's postoperative course. Wound debridement, bladder drainage and a prolonged course of antibiotics were employed to successfully treat this complication. The exact mechanism of her complication is only speculative, however to our knowledge no similar cases of a fistula after removal of a SP catheter used for short-term bladder drainage have been reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Cutaneous Fistula / etiology*
  • Cutaneous Fistula / surgery
  • Cystostomy / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Hematoma / etiology*
  • Hematoma / microbiology
  • Hematoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Urinary Bladder Fistula / etiology*
  • Urinary Bladder Fistula / surgery
  • Urinary Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress / surgery

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents