Sometimes in surgery, the most effective solutions are not complex innovations, but intelligent use of simple tools already present on the operating table. As a general surgeon, I was called into a gynecological operation theatre during a difficult hysterectomy performed for severe endometriosis. During dissection, an injury had occurred to the posterior wall of the urinary bladder. The challenge was significant: * The injured portion was deep and poorly accessible. * The bladder edges could not be adequately visualized or held for suturing.
* Conventional repair techniques were proving difficult because of limited exposure. At that point, a simple idea proved remarkably effective. A Foley’s catheter was introduced into the bladder, and the balloon was inflated. Gentle traction on the catheter helped pull the posterior bladder wall into better view, effectively bringing the injured…
