Pathology

Abstract

Because I have not been convinced that suprapubic tubes cause a significant number of orthopedic infections, I do not hesitate to use them when necessary. Those times when I must place an open suprapubic tube (perhaps for posterior urethral distraction injury when I am unable to place a catheter endoscopically) I do modify the way I perform the operation, attempting to keep the catheter as far away from the broken pelvis as possible. I tunnel the catheter out the dome of the bladder, through the peritoneal space, and bring it out of the skin at the most superior location possible-sometimes even supraumbilically.