A 41-year-old man sought medical attention after attempting to treat his incontinence by supergluing his urethra shut over a two-week period. The self-administered treatment led to a complete inability to urinate, causing severe pain and necessitating hospitalization.
According to a case report from Iran, the man began experiencing incontinence for about a month before resorting to the DIY method. He applied superglue into his urethra over the course of two weeks, initially finding it effective. However, after four days, he developed a burning sensation during urination and a reduced urine flow. By the time he sought medical help, he had developed complete urinary retention, a condition that can lead to kidney damage and severe blood infections if left untreated.
Doctors examining the patient noted the penis was erect, a condition potentially influenced by the superglue. They could feel a hardened mass inside the penis and observed brittle fragments of glue at the urethral opening.
A standard cystoscopy, a procedure to examine the urethra and bladder with a camera, was impossible because the passage was completely blocked. To address the blockage, medical professionals made an incision at the head of the penis and flushed the urethra with saline for 15 minutes. This process allowed the solid superglue block to detach from the urethral wall, enabling its removal with forceps. The removed object was described as a "10 cm rod-shaped solid block," measuring nearly four inches.
Following the surgery, the man's urinary function returned to normal. He was stitched up and, six weeks later, had fully recovered his health. Doctors noted that while foreign objects are sometimes found in the penis, often due to sexual experimentation or psychological issues, this case appeared to stem solely from an attempt to manage incontinence.
Authors of the case report cautioned against using solvents like acetone to dissolve superglue if it becomes stuck in the urethra, as such chemicals could further damage the delicate lining of the tube and bladder. In this instance, surgical removal was deemed the most appropriate course of action.