Initial management of anterior and posterior urethral injuries

The key to the initial management of a urethral injury is prompt diagnosis, accurate staging of the injury, and properly selecting an intervention that minimizes the overall chances for the debilitating complications of incontinence, impotence, and urethral stricture. Although somewhat controversial, blunt traumatic posterior injuries generally are managed best by primary realignment (when feasible), straddle injuries of the bulbar urethra by suprapubic urinary diversion, and penetrating urethral injuries by primary repair and urinary diversion.     

Cost-effective management of pelvic fracture urethral injuries

Purpose

To compare the cost-effectiveness of various treatment strategies in the management of pelvic fracture urethral injuries using decision analysis.

Methods

Five strategies were modeled from the time of injury to resolution of obstructed voiding or progression to urethroplasty. Management consisted of immediate suprapubic tube (SPT) placement and delayed urethroplasty; primary endoscopic realignment (PER) followed by urethroplasty in failed patients; or PER followed by 1–3 direct vision internal urethrotomies (DVIU), followed by urethroplasty. Success rates were obtained from the literature. Total medical costs were estimated and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were generated over a 2-year follow-up period.

Results

PER was preferred over SPT placement in all iterations of the model. PER followed by a single DVIU and urethroplasty in cases of failure was least costly and used as the referent approach with an average cost-effectiveness of $17,493 per unobstructed voider. The ICER of a second DVIU prior to urethroplasty was $86,280 per unobstructed voider, while the ICER of a third DVIU was $172,205. The model was sensitive to changes in the success rate of the first DVIU, where when the probability of DVIU success is expected to be less than 32% immediate urethroplasty after failed PER is favored.

Conclusions

Management of pelvic fracture urethral injuries with PER is the preferred management strategy according to the current model. For those who fail PER, a single DVIU may be attempted if the presumed success rate is >32%. In all other cases, urethroplasty following PER is the preferred approach.

     

Urethrography in the diagnosis of acute urethral injuries

Urethrography has proved to be tremendously valuable in the evaluation of patients with suspected acute urethral injuries. The authors review the techniques of examination, the anatomy, and the urethrographic classification of acute injuries in the male patient.     

Initial and long-term management of posterior urethral valves

Posterior urethral valves are the most common cause of congenital obstructive uropathy, resulting in renal failure in childhood. Nowadays, in most cases, diagnosis is suggested by antenatal ultrasound. However, antenatal intervention has not resulted in a significantly improved outcome. Endoscopic valve ablation is the initial treatment in most of these neonates, but others procedures, like vesicostomy or ureterostomy, can also be justified in some particular cases in order to improve renal function prognosis. Different factors like bladder dysfunction, VUR, polyuria and proteinuria, can be responsible for the slow and progressive deterioration in renal function that some of these patients show over the years. By treating them all, we may prevent or delay the onset of end stage renal disease.     

A new technique for the management of urethral injuries

A new technique for the management of urethral trauma is described. Initial suprapubic catheterisation is followed by endoscopic assessment after approximately 2 weeks. Realignment over a splinting catheter may then be achieved by instrumentation and endoscopy via both suprapubic and urethral routes. The development of the technique and the early results of a small series of patients are presented.     

骨盆骨折引起后尿道损伤的早期处理

目的：探讨骨盆骨折引起后尿道损伤早期合理的处理方法。方法：回顾性分析36例男性骨盆骨折并发后尿道损伤患者的临床资料,其中8例尿道黏膜裂伤或尿道部分断裂患者行留置导尿,另28例尿道完全断裂患者均在伤后24h内行手术治疗,其中18例行尿道会师加牵引,其余10例单纯膀胱造瘘。结果：随访6个月～5年,8例留置尿管患者,拔管后排尿通畅6例,尿线变细2例,经定期尿道扩张,排尿正常。18例尿道会师加牵引患者,拔管后适时扩张尿道,排尿通畅15例,尿线较细3例,经定期尿道扩张后,1例排尿通畅,2例失败。10例单纯膀胱造瘘患者,术后均不能排尿,分别于伤后6～12个月行开放手术及尿道内切开治疗。结论：尿道会师加牵引术是治疗骨盆骨折所致后尿道断裂的有效方法。     

Sideline management of acute knee injuries

Sideline management of acute knee injuries requires medical personnel to have knowledge of injury patterns, mechanisms, physical findings, and treatment strategies. Fractures and multiple-ligament injured knees need to be rapidly diagnosed and stabilized to allow for timely transfer to a location where further evaluation and definitive treatment can be provided.     

Anterior urethral injuries.

Seventeen patients are reviewed who presented at the Birmingham Accident Hospital over a 20-year period with injuries to the anterior urethra. Fourteen of the injuries resulted from isolated direct blows to the perineum, while 3 were associated with multiple injuries. The clinical features and management of these patients are discussed in conjunction with a review of the relevant literature. A protocol for the management of this type of injury is outlined.     

Reconstruction and management of posterior urethral and straddle injuries of the urethra

Urethral stricture disease, once associated mainly with gonococcal urethritis, is now most frequently a consequence of trauma, such as a fall-astride injury or a pelvic fracture. This article discusses issues and approaches related to the treatment of strictures associated with perineal straddle trauma and pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects.The authors emphasize that endoscopic procedures seldom cure these strictures and in-dwelling stents are seldom useful in treatment. Primary anastomotic techniques are associated with success rates in the high 90% range and appear to be remarkably durable in most cases. In contrast, tubed reconstruction of the urethra is inevitably associated with diminished success rates and with problems of durability.     

Non-operative management of acute upper cervical injuries

The results of a closed, non-operative type of treatment in acute upper cervical injury have been reviewed, especially as they relate to the use of the halo cast or vest. The morbidity with the use of this device has been minimal and there has been no mortality. Early patient mobilization has been readily achieved and in the case of the Hangman's, Jefferson's, and odontoid fractures, stable solid bony healing has been achieved in nearly all cases. Similar results have been noted in the C-1 arch fracture, as well as the acute post-infectious subluxations of C-1/C-2. In a small number of cases involving traumatic C-1/C-2 and occipital/atlas subluxation, there has occurred a significant incidence of instability, despite adequate closed treatment. This has been likely to be due to the serious ligamentous disruption in these cases and it would appear that surgical fusion may be the preferential form of initial treatment in this group of injuries.     

Initial management of complex pediatric disorders: prunebelly syndrome, posterior urethral valves

Prunebelly syndrome and posterior urethral valves are conditions of detrusor dysfunction associated with antenatal urethral obstruction. The resultant severe hydroureteronephrosis and renal dysplasia initiate a sequence potentially leading to renal failure.This article reviews clinical features and explores neonatal evaluation and treatment for both conditions. A comprehensive approach to initial management aimed at optimal renal preservation and bladder rehabilitation is proposed.