Foreign bodies in the bladder

The commonest foreign body is a fragment of catheter bal­loon (see above). The variety of foreign bodies which have been removed from the bladder is astonishing, for example manicure stocks, hair clasps, hairpins and candle wax. Occasionally, a foreign body enters through the wall of the bladder, for example nonabsorbable sutures used in an extra­vesical pelvic operation. The diagnosis rests on cystoscopy, and in the case of radio-opaque foreign bodies on radiography.

Complications of a foreign body in the bladder

Lower urinary tract infection

Perforation of the bladder wall

Bladder stone

Treatment

A small foreign body can usually be removed per urethram by means of an operating cystoscope. Occasionally, a suprapubic approach using the percutaneous insertion of a cystoscope is needed.