title: Deflation techniques for faulty Foley catheter balloons: presentation of a cystoscopic technique.
abstract: The Foley catheter is used for drainage of the urinary bladder in < or = 15% of hospitalized patients and is self-retained by an inflatable balloon mechanism. Faulty balloon deflation, which leads to a retained catheter, is a condition treated by the urologist. In this article we describe a cystoscopic approach to deflation, evaluation, and recovery of retained fragments; review the techniques for deflation; and provide an algorithm to approach the retained Foley catheter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Doebler
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*