A 49-year-old man in China was rushed to hospital after inserting a charging cable into his urethra, leaving the object trapped inside his bladder and causing severe abdominal pain and difficulty urinating.
The man, identified as Huang, arrived at the First People’s Hospital of Qinzhou in Guangxi after experiencing seven hours of urinary discomfort following the insertion of a foreign object.
Doctors carried out a three-dimensional pelvic CT scan and were shocked to discover a charging cable measuring around 6mm in diameter and 80cm long had been inserted through his urethra.
The cable had reportedly curled and become tangled inside his bladder, severely obstructing his urinary tract. Doctors also found significant narrowing in the lower section of his urethra, making it extremely difficult for urine to pass normally.
With the situation requiring urgent attention, urologists performed emergency surgery to remove the cable. The entire object was successfully extracted, and Huang was subsequently given treatment to address the complications.
After recovering following treatment, Huang was discharged from hospital.
Urology specialists have since warned the public about the serious dangers of inserting foreign objects into the urethra. The lining of the urinary tract contains delicate mucous membranes and numerous small blood vessels, making it particularly vulnerable to injury.
Hard objects such as charging cables and ropes can cause severe bleeding and tears in the urethra. Sharp edges, cable coverings and metal connectors can damage the tissue, potentially resulting in intense pain and blood in the urine. Attempting to pull out a trapped object forcefully could also cause serious urethral damage.
Doctors also warned of potentially dangerous urinary tract infections. Foreign objects can introduce bacteria into the urinary system, potentially causing urethritis or bladder infections. In severe cases, the infection could spread to the kidneys and develop into sepsis, which can become life-threatening.
Another major concern is urinary obstruction and damage to internal organs. Once a foreign object enters the bladder, it can curl, knot or become lodged near the urinary outlet, potentially causing urinary retention and increased pressure inside the bladder. Severe cases could result in bladder perforation and infection within the abdominal cavity.
Long-term complications are also possible. Repeated injuries to the urinary tract can heal with scar tissue, potentially causing urethral stricture and persistent difficulty urinating. Some patients may subsequently require repeated procedures to widen the narrowed urethra, while serious injuries could also affect sexual function.
Doctors urged members of the public to strengthen their awareness of basic health and anatomy, avoid inserting foreign objects into the urinary tract and seek immediate medical attention if an object becomes trapped or unusual pain, bleeding or difficulty urinating occurs.
