Foley Catheter Balloon Tamponade

OVERVIEW

Use of a Foley catheter (FC, aka urinary catheter) to achieve hemorrhage control in penetrating trauma to the neck

PROCEDURE

• An 18- or 20-G FC is introduced into the bleeding neck wound attempting to follow the wound tract
• The balloon is inflated with 5 ml of water or until resistance was felt
• The FC is either clamped or knotted on itself to prevent bleeding through the lumen
• The neck wound is sutured in two layers around the catheter

AFTERCARE/ DISPOSTION

• If continued bleeding around the catheter then proceed to surgery
• If bleeding controlled, then CTA neck performed
  — if negative then removal of Foley catheter in OT at 48-72h post-insertion
  — if positive (significant injury) then proceed to OT for surgical repair (unless embolisation is an option)

References and Links

Journal Articles

• Gilroy D, Lakhoo M, Charalambides D, Demetriades D. Control of life-threatening haemorrhage from the neck: a new indication for balloon tamponade. Injury. 1992;23(8):557-9. PMID: 1286913.
• Navsaria P, Thoma M, Nicol A. Foley catheter balloon tamponade for life-threatening hemorrhage in penetrating neck trauma. World J Surg. 2006 Jul;30(7):1265-8. \\ PMID: 16830215.

FOAM and web resources

• Resus.ME — Simple emergency haemorrhage control (2012)