The burst catheter balloon: A comparison of fragmentation rates and overinflation burst volumes in Foley catheters with special considerations in SCI

This study investigates what happens when Foley catheter balloons are intentionally burst to remove a retained catheter, focusing on how often the balloon breaks into pieces and how much fluid it takes to make them burst. The research also looks at whether the type of material (latex vs. silicone) and the size of the catheter affect these outcomes. The study emphasizes special considerations for people with spinal cord injuries, who may be at risk for autonomic dysreflexia during this procedure.

• 1
  Latex catheters are more likely to fragment when burst compared to silicone catheters.
• 2
  Larger catheter sizes require larger volumes of fluid to burst the balloon.
• 3
  The study highlights the need for cystoscopy to remove balloon fragments after rupture, especially with latex catheters.