Inadvertent Bowel Injury Following Repeated Suprapubic Catheterisation in a Patient of Post-Pelvic Radiotherapy

Suprapubic catheterization (SPC) is one of the standard procedures in urological emergencies. The common complications of SPC include loss of track, hematuria, catheter blockage, and catheter-related infections. However, severe complications like bowel injuries, including intestinal obstructionand perforation, can also occur. We present the case of a 54-year-old lady who had received pelvic radiation 30 years ago for carcinoma cervix. She presented to a secondary-level care center with anuria. On failure of per urethral catheterization, she repeatedly underwent unguided SPC. However, unsatisfied with her recovery, she was brought to our tertiary care center by her relatives. She was found to have inadvertent placement of SPC in the small bowel, which was confirmed preoperatively by ultrasound and CT. Intraoperatively, the SPC catheter was seen inside the terminal ileum causing ileal wall necrosis and a localized feco-purulent collection. Urinary bladder rent was also noted at the site of the earlier SPC. Resection of distal ileum with double barrel ileostomy, followed by primary repair of the bladder wall, was done. Unfortunately, she succumbed to overwhelming sepsis and expired in the postoperative period. This case emphasizes a potential higher risk of life-threatening bowel injury due to SPC insertion in patients with previous pelvic irradiation. Such high-risk cases should be approached with the utmost care, preferably under ultrasound guidance. For safe practice, the British Association of Urological Surgeons’ guidelines for SPC insertion should be followed.