Superglue Urethra Mishap: Iranian Man’s Self‑Treatment Ends in Emergency Surgery

Superglue Urethra: The Unusual Self‑Treatment

A 41‑year‑old Iranian man attempted to self‑treat incontinence by gluing his urethra shut, a desperate maneuver that culminated in emergency surgery. He first noticed urinary leakage a month earlier and, seeking a quick fix, introduced cyanoacrylate adhesive into his penile urethra. Initial relief gave way to a progressive blockage, painful urination and a feeble stream within four days.

He arrived at an outpatient clinic after a ↓ 2 weeks of escalating discomfort. Physical examination revealed an erect penis and a hard foreign body palpable along the urethral tract, with brittle glue fragments visible at the meatus.

Diagnostic hurdles

Attempts at cystoscopy failed; the glue plug barred the endoscope’s advance, prompting surgeons to act decisively. An emergency incision of roughly 2 cm was made at the glans, and the urethra was irrigated with three litres of saline for approximately fifteen minutes, softening the adhesive. The hardened rod, nearly 10 cm long, was extracted intact.

“The tissue of the urethra is delicate; any foreign material risks infection and irreversible damage,” the operating team noted.

Post‑operative recovery was swift. Urine analysis returned to normal, and the patient was discharged after ↑ 10 days of catheterisation and a short course of prophylactic antibiotics. At a six‑week follow‑up his voiding pattern was unremarkable, though the underlying cause of his original incontinence remained unidentified.

While superglue is occasionally employed to seal ear or nasal passages, documented cases of intentional urethral application are scarce. A review of the medical literature cites only three prior incidents, each resolved by endoscopic or surgical extraction, underscoring the rarity of such self‑inflicted injuries.

Experts caution that inserting objects into the urethra—whether for sexual experimentation, intoxication, or curiosity—can precipitate severe infection, strictures, or permanent dysfunction. For a broader perspective on atypical medical emergencies, see the Reuters health roundup.

Editor’s note: A previous version misstated the length of the glue fragment as 12 cm; the correct measurement is 10 cm.