A simple bedside technique for managing a non-deflating Foley catheter balloon in a resource-limited setting – a case report

Urethral catheterization is a frequently performed procedure that can sometimes result in complications such as failure to deflate a Foley catheter balloon. This can present significant challenges in managing a patient. We describe a case involving a 37-year-old woman diagnosed with severe cerebral malaria, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome whose Foley catheter balloon failed to deflate despite the use of standard techniques. An easy bedside technique was used by cutting the catheter to a short length and using a spinal needle stylet to unblock the existing inflation passage, thus successfully deflating the balloon without complications or the need for anesthesia. This method is safe, minimally invasive, cost-effective, and particularly valuable in low-resource environments.