Risk of continuous bladder irrigation in the monoplace hyperbaric chamber: a cautionary tale.

ABSTRACT

We previously published our method of performing continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber [1]. This method entailed the use of an IV pump to infuse saline into the monoplace chamber. The specter of causing iatrogenic rupture of the bladder was raised following such a case, reported herein, of a woman with hemorrhagic radiation cystitis leading to cystectomy. Due to the danger of bladder rupture while providing CBI with a pump, we retract ourpreviously reported method and encourage the use of either a gravity-fed system or delay in hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment until CBI is no longer necessary.