Man Needs Emergency Surgery After Putting Superglue in Urethra
A 41-year-old man in Iran sought medical care after spending two weeks attempting to self-treat new-onset urinary incontinence by inserting superglue into his urethra, according to a clinical report. The patient presented to an outpatient clinic complaining of severe pain above the pubic bone, marked discomfort during urination, a weak urine stream, and an inability to empty his bladder. Medical examinations revealed a solid, rod-shaped obstruction measuring nearly 4 inches (10 centimeters) lodged within the penile urethra, necessitating emergency surgical intervention.
- A 41-year-old patient presented with an inability to empty his bladder and severe pelvic pain after attempting to manage incontinence by inserting superglue into his urethra.
- Surgeons performed a 0.8-inch incision in the glans and flushed the urinary tract with 3 liters of saline solution to extract a 4-inch hardened glue block.
- Medical literature notes that while foreign object insertion into the urinary tract is relatively rare, such actions typically stem from curiosity, intoxication or mental illness, or sexual stimulation, carrying risks of infection and damaging the sensitive tube.
Clinical Presentation and Diagnostic Evaluation
The patient’s clinical trajectory began roughly one month prior to his clinic visit when he experienced the onset of urinary incontinence. He chose to self-treat by inserting superglue into his urethral opening. Initially, the adhesive seemed to help. Within four days, however, he began to produce less and less urine and urination became painful. By the time he arrived at the clinic two weeks after halting the application, he was barely able to urinate.
Physical examinations by clinicians identified an erection coupled with a palpable, solid foreign body residing within the penile urethra. Visual inspection revealed brittle fragments of superglue clinging to the opening at the tip of his penis. Initial attempts to perform a diagnostic cystoscopy failed because the obstruction prevented the tube from being inserted far enough to see anything. Confronted with the obstruction, the surgical team scheduled an emergency extraction procedure.
Surgical Intervention and Urethral Extraction Protocol
To clear the obstruction, surgeons executed a 0.8-inch (2 centimeters) incision into the glans. The operative team then engaged in a mobilization phase. For 15 minutes, clinicians bathed the urethra with 0.8 gallons (3 liters) of saline solution to saturate the glue plug and separate it from the walls of the urethra.
Following this saturation, surgeons applied “certain maneuvers” to dislodge the hardened block. The intervention succeeded when the glue broke loose. Clinicians extracted a solid, rod-shaped glue block measuring nearly 4 inches in length. Following the operation, the patient’s urination and urinalysis returned to normal. Providers discharged him five days post-surgery with an indwelling urinary catheter secured for ten days, alongside prescriptions for antibiotics to prevent infection. At a six-week post-operative evaluation, the patient reported normal urination and no further complications. Clinicians noted that the cause of the patient’s initial incontinence remained unidentified.
While case documentation details foreign body insertions involving the nasal cavity or ear canal, intentional introduction of adhesives into the urinary tract is described in three other case reports. Standard protocols for managing glue in body cavities often involve chemical solvents such as acetone. However, all three recorded cases of intentional superglue insertion into the human urethra necessitated removal with endoscopy or surgery.
Urethra tissue is very delicate. Introducing foreign objects into this sensitive tube risks damaging it, which can lead to serious infection. Medical literature attributes such behaviors to various drivers, including mental illness, intoxication, curiosity, or sexual stimulation. Documented case reports record numerous objects recovered from human urethras, including magnets, pencils, earphones, dining forks, thermometers, ink chambers from ballpoint pens, the metal tip of a screwdriver, USB cables, tree branches, and three AAA batteries.
For individuals managing complex urological symptoms, chronic voiding dysfunction, or post-surgical recovery, timely professional assessment is paramount.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.