Fogarty Catheter Extraction of Unusual Urethral Foreign Bodies

PURPOSE: The removal of multiple obstructing foreign bodies from the urethra of an acutely ill, elderly man is describe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.