Needles as urethral foreign body in a child: successful removal using a new method with a laparoscopic needle holder

Abstract

Self-inserted foreign bodies in the lower urinary tract are rare among children. The treatment of foreign bodies in the urethra is determined by their type, size, location, shape, and mobility. We describe here a 13-year-old boy who had self-inserted a needle into his urethra out of curiosity. Initial attempts to remove the needle from the urethra by inserting a cystoscope failed due to the weak biting force of the forceps and because the needle was trapped in the urethral mucosa. We successfully used a laparoscopic needle holder to remove the needle through the perineum.