To remedy his erectile dysfunction, a man had the bad idea of injecting expanding foam into his urethra.
Published in the latest issue of the very serious Urology Case Reports, the story is from last November, but only gained US media attention this week. A few months ago, a 45-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room urinating blood. After some analysis, the doctors realized that her bladder and urethra were filled with expanding polyurethane foam. Yes, the same one that is usually used to insulate attics.
Treating erectile problems: the failed DIY
Behind this not really common affair, the man explained that he suffered from recurring erectile dysfunction. For “to tend to” this problem, he and his wife had taken the habit of inserting various objects into his urethra, and in particular the thin straw connected to the expanding foam bomb. Why the couple didn’t untie the plastic tube beforehand remains a mystery. Still, in the heat of the moment, his partner would have inadvertently pressed the trigger. An accident which will have – logically – had the effect of causing the foam to come out, and fill the poor man’s bladder and urethra. No doubt a little embarrassed by the situation, the latter will still have waited three weeks before consulting a doctor, reaching a point where it was completely impossible for him to urinate.
After a painful operation, the doctors finally managed to extract almost all of the foam. Spare yourself the unappetizing photos available on the original article, the result is rather impressive. For his part, the patient is still far from being fully recovered. If the extraction of the foreign bodies present in the bladder seems to have been a success, those located in the urethra were more delicate. victim of a urethral stricture linked to the adherence of residual foam, it will have finally been necessary to operate via the perineum.
Several weeks after his operation, the patient is still dependent on a suprapubic catheter to urinate. Her sex life is on hold for a long time. After a long recovery, doctors are hoping for a successful attempt at reconstructive surgery, the report concludes.
