Novel Use of Hydrodissection for the Insertion of Suprapubic Catheter Under Ultrasound Guidance

Objective To find a method of safely inserting a suprapubic catheter (SPC) under local anesthetic and under ultrasound guidance in patients who may not be fit for a general anesthetic but also are seen to have bowel overlying the anterior bladder wall which obscures a safe route to the bladder. Materials and Methods We used ultrasonography to visualize the bladder which was initially filled via the indwelling urethral catheter. A 22-gauge needle attached to a syringe filled with 30 mL of fluid (made up of 10 mL of 1% lidocaine plus 20 mL sterile water) was inserted transabdominally under ultrasound guidance into a space between the pubic symphysis and bowel. The fluid was then injected into the space to hydrodissect the bowel away from the bladder. Once the space had been created, an 18-guage needle was passed into the bladder and a SPC was inserted via the Seldinger technique. Results Successful SPC insertion was confirmed on ultrasound guidance with no associated bowel or other injury. Telephone follow-up with the patient 6 months later revealed that the patient had no complications and no infections. Conclusion Hydrodissection can be considered when inserting SPC under local anesthetic under ultrasound guidance when there is bowel obscuring any safe route to the bladder. This may be particularly useful in patients who may not be fit for a general an aesthetic.