Endoscopic Topical Placement of Formalin Soaked Pledgets to Control Localized Hemorrhage Due to Radiation Cystitis

Abstract
A useful technique for treating localized bladder hemorrhage secondary to radiation cystitis is described. Cotton pledgets soaked in 5% formalin are placed endoscopically onto bleeding foci of the bladder for 15 minutes and then removed. There was immediate cessation of prolonged bleeding refractory to intravesical saline, alum, prostaglandin E1 and estrogen. No subsequent bleeding was noted during 16 months of followup. Topical application of formalin soaked pledgets is an effective method of controlling localized bleeding secondary to radiation cystitis.