Intravesical Foreign Body: Tertiary care center experience from Pakistan

Foreign body in bladder is relatively uncommon condition with variable presentations. Literature is limited to case reports and small series from region. Therefore, we planned this study to review our experience regarding intravesical foreign body. This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised 14 patients having intravesical foreign bodies from March 1989 to March 2013. Demographics, presentation, mode of insertion, type of foreign body and management were noted. Of the 11(78.6%) patients included in the study, 10(90.9%) patients were male and 1(9.1%) was female. The mean age was 51 +/- 20 years. In 5(45.5%) patients, foreign bodies reached bladder by iatrogenic route followed by self-insertion in 4(36.4%) patients. Retrieved foreign bodes included piece of Foley's catheter, electric wire, ureteric stent, plastic material, double-J stent pusher, Endo gastrointestinal (GI) staples, sticks of broom and bomb shrapnel. All patients were managed successfully with endoscopic removal. However, 5(45.5%) patients required additional urological procedures. This could represent a urologic challenge. Careful history and symptoms could lead to further investigations.