Continuous needle vented foley catheter suction for urinary leak after radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Prolonged urinary leakage from the urethrovesical anastomotic site after radical retropubic prostatectomy is a relatively uncommon complication. After the failure of other conservative measures we successfully overcame this problem using a Foley catheter needle vented suction technique.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anastomotic leakage was noted after retropubic prostatectomy. After the failure of conservative techniques, including catheter traction, passive drainage and active catheter suction, needle vented suction was used. An 18 gauge needle was inserted into the plastic suction tubing attached to the Foley catheter to prevent suction occlusion of the eye of the Foley catheter by the bladder mucosa.
RESULTS: Needle vented suction successfully treated urinary leakage after radical retropubic prostatectomy in 2 patients.
CONCLUSIONS: In cases of prolonged anastomotic urinary leakage after radical retropubic prostatectomy needle vented suction can be considered an alternative conservative approach to treatment.