Delayed bowel perforation following suprapubic catheter insertion

Shwan J Ahmed¹ , Ajay Mehta² and Peter Rimington²

¹Department of Urology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, UK

²Department of Urology, Eastbourne District General Hospital, Kings Way, Eastbourne, UK

author email corresponding author email

BMC Urology 2004, 4:16doi:10.1186/1471-2490-4-16


Published:	15 December 2004

Abstract

Background

Complications of suprapubic catheter insertion are rare but can be significant. We describe an unusual complication of a delayed bowel perforation following suprapubic catheter insertion.

Case presentation

A gentleman presented with features of peritonitis and feculent discharge along a suprapubic catheter two months after insertion of the catheter.

Conclusion

Bowel perforation is the most feared complication of suprapubic catheter insertion especially in patients with lower abdominal scar. The risk may be reduced with the use of ultrasound scan guidance.