A novel method to cease traumatic urethral bleeding.

Abstract

Urethral bleeding due to trauma is a well-studied and often self-limiting condition. However, existing evidence regarding effective management of massive hemorrhage is limited. Intermittent penile compression and continuous perineal pressure are methods commonly used to control urethral bleeding. Nevertheless, these methods are not mentioned in the literature as specific treatment for this condition, and are rather learned by physicians via word of mouth. Sometimes these methods are ineffective and difficult for the patient to tolerate. This paper explains a new method implemented on a young man with massive urethral bleeding due to iatrogenic trauma, which was unresponsive to standard management. For this patient, the bleeding was controlled by gradually inflating the balloon of the catheter up to 4 mL. Given its safety and efficiency in controlling bleeding in this patient, it seems this new technique should be considered in cases of massive hemorrhage unresponsive to routine treatment.