Medical case study of a thermometer retrieved from a young boy’s urethra
In a detailed surgical report, surgeons from a major pediatric hospital in Longquany District describe the removal of a thermometer that had become lodged inside a 12-year-old boy’s urethra. The case was documented for a medical journal and serves as a reference point for clinicians encountering similar foreign body scenarios in children. The publication centers on the technical challenges of extraction and the outcome of the procedure.
The sequence began with the patient attempting to insert a thermometer into his urethral opening, a normal curiosity that unfortunately led to rapid progression into the urinary tract. The boy subsequently reached the bladder, and within hours he experienced severe pain. He and his family sought urgent medical care, and the case proceeded to the operating theater to prevent further injury or infection. The surgical team faced a decision between two extraction approaches. Retrieving the thermometer by pulling it backward through the urethra was anticipated to cause substantial trauma. Instead, the surgeons performed a controlled abdominal incision to directly access the bladder and remove the object in a way that minimized tissue damage. The operation was completed without immediate complications, and the patient recovered well in the immediate postoperative period.
Although the immediate result was positive, the report does not provide information about long-term follow-up or potential late complications. Foreign bodies within the urethra are uncommon in pediatric patients and are more frequently reported in adult males. The case study notes that the thermometer was introduced out of curiosity about the genitals and partly due to gaps in sex education within the country. This finding aligns with broader observations that educational and cultural factors can influence how individuals approach sexual health information and exploratory behaviors.
Medical authors emphasize that caregivers should be aware of the unusual ways children may interact with household items. Early medical evaluation is important when pain, urinary blockage, or unusual discharge occurs after a foreign body introduction. In institutions treating pediatric urologic emergencies, documentation of the materials involved, the method of removal, and the patient’s recovery helps guide future practice for safer, minimally invasive interventions. The report from the surgical team provides a clear example of how a conservative yet decisive approach can preserve urinary tract integrity while avoiding additional harm. The authors acknowledge the importance of reporting such cases to inform clinicians about potential complications and to improve strategies for timely management. The case contributes to the growing body of pediatric urology literature that highlights the need for careful assessment, careful planning, and skilled execution when foreign bodies are found within the urinary system. [Source: Asian Journal of Surgery]