Pelvic fracture urethral injuries: the unresolved controversy

PURPOSE: The unresolved controversies about pelvic fracture urethral injuries and whether any conclusions can be reached to develop a treatment plan for this lesion are determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All data on pelvic fracture urethral injuries in the English literature for the last 50 years were critically analyzed. Studies were eligible only if data were complete and conclusive. RESULTS: The risk of urethral injury is influenced by the number of broken pubic rami as well as involvement of the sacroiliac joint. Depending on the magnitude of trauma, the membranous urethra is first stretched and then partially or completely ruptured at the bulbomembranous junction. Injuries to the prostatic urethra and bladder neck occur only in children. Injury to the female urethra usually is a partial tear of the anterior wall and rarely complete disruption of the proximal or distal urethra. Diagnosis depends on urethrography in men and on a high index of suspicion and urethroscopy in women. Of the 3 conventional treatment methods primary suturing of the disrupted urethral ends has the greatest complication rates of incontinence and impotence (21 and 56%, respectively). Primary realignment has double the incidence of impotence and half that of stricture compared to suprapubic cystostomy and delayed repair (36 versus 19 and 53 versus 97%, respectively, p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In men surgical and endoscopic procedures do not compete but rather complement each other for treatment of different injuries under different circumstances, including indwelling catheter for urethral stretch injury, endoscopic stenting or suprapubic cystostomy for partial rupture, endoscopic realignment or suprapubic cystostomy for complete rupture with a minimal distraction defect and surgical realignment if the distraction defect is wide. Associated injury to the bladder, bladder neck or rectum dictates immediate exploration for repair but does not necessarily indicate exploration of the urethral injury site. In women treatment modalities are dictated by the level of urethral injury, including immediate retropubic realignment or suturing for proximal and transvaginal urethral advancement for distal injury.     

Traumatic Posterior Urethral Injury and Early Realignment Using Magnetic Urethral Catheters

Purpose

We determined the success of early urethral realignment using magnetic urethral catheters.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 13 patients with complete urethral disruption treated with endourological realignment 0 to 11 days after injury using coaxial magnetic urethral catheters.

Results

Urethral realignment was established in 11 of the 13 patients (85%) using magnetic urethral catheters. Of the 10 patients for whom followup was available urethral strictures developed in 5 (50%) a mean of 6.1 months after realignment, necessitating a mean of 1.4 corrective procedures per patient. Impotence was noted in 1 of 7 patients (14%) and no urinary incontinence developed after realignment.

Conclusions

Urethral realignment within 2 weeks of injury using magnetic urethral catheters is a safe and simple technique with minimal morbidity. The stricture formation, impotence and incontinence rates of this technique are comparable to those reported for delayed urethroplasty. We advocate early realignment using magnetic urethral sounds as an alternative treatment for traumatic urethral disruption.     

Impotence and Incontinence After Immediate Realignment of Posterior Urethral Trauma: Result of Injury or Management?

Purpose

We examined further whether the injury or method of management is responsible for impotence and incontinence after immediate realignment of prostato-membranous urethral disruptions.

Materials and Methods

A total of 20 patients with complete urethral disruptions treated with immediate realignment (group 1) was compared to 12 with partial or complete injuries treated with retrograde catheterization alone (group 2). Followup status was obtained by patient questionnaire or telephone interview.

Results

Of the patients 83 percent in group 1 and 80 percent in group 2 are continent, and 76 percent and 70 percent, respectively, regained erections suitable for sexual intercourse.

Conclusions

The results suggest that impotence and incontinence in this setting are the result of the injury and not of attempts at immediate surgical management.     

Immediate Management of Posterior Urethral Disruptions Due to Pelvic Fracture: Therapeutic Alternatives

Purpose

We retrospectively reviewed the results of 3 types of initial management of pelvic fracture urethral disruption in children.

Materials and Methods

From 1980 to 1994, 35 boys 2 to 15 years old (mean age 8.1) with prostatomembranous urethral disruption were treated, including 17 who also had associated injuries. Immediate treatment included suprapubic cystostomy and delayed urethroplasty in 19 patients (group 1), urethral catheter alignment without traction and concomitant suprapubic cystostomy in 10 (group 2), and primary retropubic anastomotic urethroplasty in 6 (group 3).

Results

In all patients in groups 1 and 2 severe urethral obliteration developed. Four group 3 patients (66%) had a stricture at the site of anastomotic repair. After delayed urethroplasty 16 group 1 (84%) and all 10 group 2 patients were continent. However, only 3 group 3 patients (50%) achieved continence. Retrospectively associated bladder neck injury occurred in 5 of the 6 incontinent boys. Erections were observed before and after treatment in all but 3 children. Unstable pelvic ring fractures (type IV) comprised 28% of all pelvic fractures with a high rate of associated injuries.

Conclusions

As described, urethral alignment was not beneficial for avoiding urethral obliteration. Therefore we recommend suprapubic cystostomy as the only form of initial treatment in these cases. Urinary incontinence seems more likely related to associated bladder neck rupture and the severity of pelvic fracture rather than to initial treatment or delayed urethral repair. Consequently, when associated bladder neck injury is present, we advocate immediate surgical repair.     

Urethral injury in the multiple-injured patient

A total of 74 patients with urethral injury due to external trauma consisted of 48 posterior urethral injuries (25 complete rupture, 23 partial rupture) and 26 anterior urethral injuries (two complete rupture, 16 partial rupture, and eight contusion). The diagnosis was made by retrograde urethrography. All 48 patients with posterior urethral injury had associated injuries, including a fractured pelvis in 46, and a mortality rate of 33%. Only seven of the 26 patients with anterior urethral injury had associated injuries and a mortality rate of 14%. The management of posterior urethral injury is changing from primary realignment of the ruptured urethra to suprapubic cystostomy alone and followed later by urethral surgery for the resulting stricture. The impotence rate is significantly lower with management with suprapubic cystostomy alone. However, the type of pelvic fracture, the urethral injury itself disrupting neurovascular structures, and the surgical dissection (initial primary realignment or delayed urethroplasty) must be investigated before it can be determined whether the impotence associated with pelvic trauma is caused by the injury itself or by the surgical dissection undertaken to reconstruct the urethra.     

Urethral injury due to external trauma

Fifty-six patients with urethral injuries comprised 35 involving the posterior urethra and 21 involving the anterior urethra. Immediate retrograde urethrography confirmed the clinical diagnosis made when blood was found at the external urinary meatus after external trauma. Traffic accidents caused most of the posterior urethral injuries and were associated with severe injuries to multiple systems and a significant mortality rate (34 per cent). Primary realignment of the urethral injury by a urethral catheter in all cases of urethral rupture (plus a suprapubic cystostomy in most of these cases) resulted in a stricture rate of 62 per cent on follow-up. However, only half of these strictures required surgical correction. The incidence of incontinence was 10 per cent and of impotence 38 per cent.     

Should primary realignment become the standard line of treatment for traumatic posterior and bulbar urethral disruption?

Objectives

To assess early urethral realignment and the correlation of severity of pelvic fracture, with impact of technique on continence and potency.

Prostatomembranous urethral injuries: a review of the literature and a rational approach to their management

Controversy surrounds the management of prostatomembranous urethral injuries. We herein present 38 patients and review the findings of 538 in 19 reported series. Results indicate a high risk of stricture, impotence and incontinence if conventional early urethral realignment techniques are used. Therefore, it is suggested that this approach be reserved for cases demanding immediate intervention (high riding bladder, associated rectal tear, concomitant bladder neck injury or continued bleeding), and that all others be managed by initial suprapubic cystostomy alone and delayed urethroplasty. Urethroplasty selection is discussed.     

Urethral obstruction from dislodged bladder Diverticulum stones: a case report

Background

Secondary urethral stone although rare, commonly arises from the kidneys, bladder or are seen in patients with urethral stricture. These stones are either found in the posterior or anterior urethra and do result in acute urinary retention. We report urethral obstruction from dislodged bladder diverticulum stones. This to our knowledge is the first report from Nigeria and in English literature.

Case presentation

A 69 year old, male, Nigerian with clinical and radiological features of acute urinary retention, benign prostate enlargement and bladder diverticulum. He had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and was lost to follow up. He re-presented with retained urethral catheter of 4months duration. The catheter was removed but attempt at re-passing the catheter failed and a suprapubic cystostomy was performed. Clinical examination and plain radiograph of the penis confirmed anterior and posterior urethral stones. He had meatotomy and antegrade manual stone extraction with no urethra injury.

Conclusions

Urethral obstruction can result from inadequate treatment of patient with benign prostate enlargement and bladder diverticulum stones. Surgeons in resource limited environment should be conversant with transurethral resection of the prostate and cystolithotripsy or open prostatectomy and diverticulectomy.     

Voiding and sexual dysfunctions after pelvic fracture urethral injuries treated with either initial cystostomy and delayed urethroplasty or immediate primary urethral realignment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the different immediate treatment modalities on the sexual and voiding functions in pelvic fracture urethral injuries. METHODS: The records of 38 male patients with traumatic posterior urethral injuries were reviewed, 18 of whom were treated by initial suprapubic cystostomy and delayed repair (Group 1), and 20 by primary urethral realignment (Group 2). Types of pelvic fractures and urethral injuries were classified according to surgical and radiological findings. Long-term voiding functions were determined by the patient questionnaire, residual urine and uroflow. Sexual functions were also determined by the patient questionnaire and a penile duplex ultrasound study. RESULTS: Mean follow-ups of Groups 1 and 2 were 37 and 39 months, respectively. Membranous urethral disruption extending to the urogenital diaphragm was the most frequent urethral injury (type 3), with incidences of 66.7% and 77.7%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in mean age, incidence of pelvic fracture types and urethral injury types between groups (p > 0.05). After the immediate treatments, 16.7% and 55% of the patients regained normal urination, and stricture developed in 83.3% and 45% of the patients, respectively. In 44.4% of the patients in Group 1 and 10% in Group 2, urethral strictures required open urethroplasty (p < 0.05). Erectile impotence before urethroplasty in 17.6% and 20%, anejaculation after urethroplasty in 17.6% and 15% and incontinence in 5.6% and 10% of the patients were found in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p > 0.05). However, 88.8% and 90% of patients eventually achieved normal urination with complete continence. CONCLUSION: Sexual and voiding dysfunction after pelvic fracture posterior urethral injury seem to be the result of the injury itself, not of the immediate treatment modalities. In urethral disruption injuries, primary urethral realignment seems more favourable than suprapubic cystostomy and delayed repair.     

A case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a suprapubic cystostomy tract

Background

Patients with spinal cord injury and a chronic indwelling urinary catheter are known to have an increased risk of bladder malignancy. However, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the epidermis around a suprapubic cystostomy is relatively rare. Here, we report a case of lower abdominal SCC arising from the suprapubic cystostomy tract.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old man with a complete spinal cord injury was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of an abdominal mass. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a 7-cm mass surrounding the suprapubic cystostomy and bilateral inguinal and para-aortic lymph nodes metastasis. Histopathological examination of percutaneous biopsy specimens was performed. The diagnosis was stage IV (cT4N1M1) epidermal SCC, which was treated with palliative external radiation therapy.

Conclusion

The SCC in this case was thought to arise from mechanical stimulus of the suprapubic cystostomy. Physicians and patients should pay careful attention to any signs of neoplasms with long-term indwelling catheters, such as skin changes around the suprapubic cystostomy site. This case presentation is only the fourth report of SCC arising from the suprapubic cystostomy tract in the literature. In cases of unresectable tumors and contraindications to chemotherapy, palliative radiotherapy may lead to disease remission and symptom relief.     

Management of Urethral Stent Failure for Recurrent Anterior Urethral Strictures

Background

Urethral stent placement for recurrent anterior urethral strictures may cause restenosis and complications.

Objective

To describe our experience with patients who had restenoses and complications following urethral stent placement for the treatment of recurrent anterior urethral strictures.

Design, setting, and participants

We evaluated retrospectively the records of 13 men with anterior urethral stricture who experienced restenosis and complications after stent insertion. We recorded stent position, prestent and poststent urethral procedures, restenosis location, stent-related complications, and management of stent failures.

Surgical procedure

The stent was removed en bloc with the whole strictured urethral segment or wire by wire after a ventral or a double-ventral plus dorsal-sagittal urethrotomy and stent section.

Measurements

Successful outcome was defined as standard voiding, without need of any postoperative procedure, and full recovery from complications.

Results and limitations

Four patients did not undergo surgery and the stent was left in situ. Of these patients, two required permanent suprapubic cystostomy. Nine patients underwent challenging surgical stent removal and salvage urethrostomy: After the first stage, three patients are waiting for further reconstructive steps, five elected the urethrostomy as a permanent diversion, and one completed the staged reconstruction using a buccal mucosa graft at the second stage. After surgery, seven of the nine patients (77.8%) were free of strictures and stent-related complications, while a restenosis occurred in two of the nine (22.2%) cases.

Conclusions

The management of urethral stent failure represents a therapeutic challenge. The stent risks converting a simple stenosis into a complex stenosis requiring a staged urethroplasty, a definitive urethrostomy, or a permanent suprapubic diversion.     

闭合性尿道球部损伤不同手术治疗效果与术后狭窄处理分析

目的比较闭合性尿道球部损伤早期行耻骨上膀胱造瘘术与膀胱镜下留置尿管术的临床效果及术后狭窄处理。方法回顾性分析2012年6月至2017年6月就诊的57例闭合性尿道球部损伤患者,耻骨上膀胱造瘘患者24例(造瘘组),膀胱镜下留置尿管患者33例(置管组)。随访期间发生狭窄的患者,根据狭窄程度行微创手术(内镜下尿道内切开术或尿道扩张术)或开放修复手术。比较两组患者术后狭窄的发生率、狭窄段长度、勃起功能障碍(ED)发生率。比较早期行膀胱镜下留置尿管治疗后发生狭窄的患者与早期行耻骨上膀胱造瘘治疗后发生狭窄的患者经微创手术治愈的比例。结果造瘘组和置管组术后狭窄发生率分别为33.33%(8/24)和63.64%(21/33),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);狭窄段长度分别是(1.17±0.42)cm和(1.38±0.44)cm,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),造瘘组与置管组ED发生率分别是4.17%(1/24)和6.06%(2/33),差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。早期行膀胱镜下留置尿管治疗后发生狭窄的患者与早期行耻骨上膀胱造瘘治疗后发生狭窄的患者通过微创手术治愈比例的差异无统计学意义(χ^2=2.032,P=0.154)。结论尿道球部损伤患者早期行耻骨上膀胱造瘘可能降低术后尿道狭窄的发生,但对狭窄段长度及ED的发生可能无影响。     

Injuries to the urethra and urinary bladder associated with fractures of the pelvis

The posterior urethra or urinary bladder may be injured in patients who sustain fractures of the bony pelvis. It is important to assess the urethra radiologically by retrograde urethrography before introducing a urethral catheter to avoid missing a urethral injury or causing further damage. The author's approach to the immediate management of urethral injury is suprapubic cystostomy. The urethra may be repaired later after other injuries have healed. With this approach the incidence of permanent impotence and incontinence will be low and the stricture cure rate high. If the urethra has not been injured, a catheter is introduced and cystography performed to rule out bladder injuries. If the bladder is ruptured, the area is explored, the perivesical space drained and urinary drainage is provided by either a suprapubic cystostomy or a urethral catheter.     

Prostatomembranous urethral disruptions: management by suprapubic cystostomy and delayed urethroplasty

Management of prostatomembranous urethral disruptions associated with pelvic fractures remains a major controversy in urology. A group of 64 patients who suffered a prostatomembranous urethral disruption in association with a pelvic fracture and who were managed initially by suprapubic cystostomy with delayed urethroplasty was compared to 17 patients managed initially by primary realignment. No statistically significant difference in the incidence of impotence or urinary incontinence was found between the 2 groups (p greater than 0.5) Secondary reconstructions for impassable strictures developed in 95% of the patients treated by a suprapubic tube alone compared to 53% of those treated by primary realignment. Indeed, only 1 patient in the latter group achieved urethral continuity that did not require further intervention. We conclude that while primary realignment is associated with no increase in the instance of impotence and urinary incontinence, it subjects the patient to a major operation at a critical time and provides little in the way of long-term positive gains for the effort expended. In the final analysis the outcome is more dependent upon the nature of the injury and the quality of the repair than upon the order in which the repair is effected.     

Posttraumatic complete and partial loss of urethra with pelvic fracture in girls: an appraisal of management

PURPOSE: Urethral injury in girls accompanying fracture of the pelvis is rare. We present our experience with 5 such complex cases and review the literature to define the types of problem and determine appropriate management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report on 5 girls with posttraumatic urethral injuries and pelvic fracture resulting in stricture as well as management based on the site and length of urethral stricture. Associated injuries and results are discussed. RESULTS: Of the 5 girls who presented with stricture 4 had undergone suprapubic cystostomy as initial treatment, whereas in 1 primary repair had failed. Urethral reconstruction using a bladder flap tube and distal urethrotomy into the vagina were performed in 3 and 1 cases, respectively. These 4 girls were continent although 1 required clean intermittent catheterization for a short period. The 3 patients with complete urethral loss had a more severe degree of pelvic fracture, including 1 treated with core through internal urethrotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Posttraumatic urethral injury accompanying pelvic fracture in young girls results in challenging management situations. More severely displaced pelvic fracture is associated with greater urethral loss and requires more complex repair. Cases of partial urethral injury or urethral transection without much displacement are better managed by primary repair of the transected urethra, which decreases morbidity. Primary repair may not be feasible in patients with extensive injury, who should be treated with secondary appropriate reconstruction after preliminary suprapubic cystostomy. Complete urethral loss may be managed by bladder flap tube neourethra creations with effective continence and excellent outcomes. Short segment distal urethral strictures may be treated with meatotomy or core through internal urethrotomy.     

The management of old urethral injury in young girls: analysis of 44 cases

Background/purpose: Traumatic urethral injury in girls is rare, and there is no consensus on its management. The authors report their 22-year experience.Methods: Forty girls presented with urethrovaginal fistula. Twenty-six girls presented with cystostomy tube in place, whereas 17 girls presented with complete urinary incontinence. Incision and dilatation of the obliterated urethra was carried out in 7 patients. Vaginal repair of urethrovaginal fistula was performed in 4 patients. Transpubic reconstruction of the urethra using a modified Young-Dees-Leadbetter procedure with simultaneous repair of the urethrovaginal fistula was performed in 35 patients (once in 27, twice in 5, and 3 times in 3 patients).Results: Follow-up in 40 girls averaged 3.5 years. Twenty-nine patients have regained normal urinary control, and 11 patients have mild stress urinary incontinence. Four patients were lost to follow-up.Conclusions: Simple dilation of the obliterated urethra can reestablish satisfactory urethral patency if the obliterated segment is short. The vaginal approach to urethrovaginal fistula may be successful in patients without concomitant urethral stricture or in those with stricture amenable to simple dilation. The transpubic approach remains the method of choice for repairing complete urethral disruption and severe urethral stricture, especially when associated with urethrovaginal fistula.     

Pelvic fracture urethral injuries in girls

PURPOSE: Injuries to the female urethra associated with pelvic fracture are uncommon. They may vary from urethral contusion to partial or circumferential rupture. When disruption has occurred at the level of the proximal urethra, it is usually complete and often associated with vaginal laceration. We retrospectively reviewed the records of a series of girls with pelvic fracture urethral stricture and present surgical treatment to restore urethral continuity and the outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1984 and 1997, 8 girls 4 to 16 years old (median age 9.6) with urethral injuries associated with pelvic fracture were treated at our institutions. Immediate therapy involved suprapubic cystostomy in 4 cases, urethral catheter alignment and simultaneous suprapubic cystostomy in 3, and primary suturing of the urethra, bladder neck and vagina in 1. Delayed 1-stage anastomotic repair was performed in 1 patient with urethral avulsion at the level of the bladder neck and in 5 with a proximal urethral distraction defect, while a neourethra was constructed from the anterior vaginal wall in a 2-stage procedure in 1 with mid urethral avulsion. Concomitant vaginal rupture in 7 cases was treated at delayed urethral reconstruction in 5 and by primary repair in 2. The surgical approach was retropubic in 3 cases, vaginal-retropubic in 1 and vaginal-transpubic in 4. Associated injuries included rectal injury in 3 girls and bladder neck laceration in 4. Overall postoperative followup was 6 months to 6.3 years (median 3 years). RESULTS: Urethral obliteration developed in all patients treated with suprapubic cystostomy and simultaneous urethral realignment. The stricture-free rate for 1-stage anastomotic repair and substitution urethroplasty was 100%. In 1 girl complete urinary incontinence developed, while another has mild stress incontinence. Retrospectively the 2 incontinent girls had had an associated bladder neck injury at the initial trauma. Two recurrent vaginal strictures were treated successfully with additional transpositions of lateral labial flaps. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes that combined vaginal-partial transpubic access is a reliable approach for resolving complex obliterative urethral strictures and associated urethrovaginal fistulas or severe bladder neck damage after traumatic pelvic fracture injury in female pediatric patients. Although our experience with the initial management of these injuries is limited, we advocate early cystostomy drainage and deferred surgical reconstruction when life threatening clinical conditions are present or extensive traumatized tissue in the affected area precludes immediate ideal surgical repair.     

Preventable long-term complications of suprapubic cystostomy after spinal cord injury: Root cause analysis in a representative case report

Background

Although complications related to suprapubic cystostomies are well documented, there is scarcity of literature on safety issues involved in long-term care of suprapubic cystostomy in spinal cord injury patients.

Case Presentation

A 23-year-old female patient with tetraplegia underwent suprapubic cystostomy. During the next decade, this patient developed several catheter-related complications, as listed below: (1) Suprapubic catheter came out requiring reoperation. (2) The suprapubic catheter migrated to urethra through a patulous bladder neck, which led to leakage of urine per urethra. (3) Following change of catheter, the balloon of suprapubic catheter was found to be lying under the skin on two separate occasions. (4) Subsequently, this patient developed persistent, seropurulent discharge from suprapubic cystostomy site as well as from under-surface of pubis. (5) Repeated misplacement of catheter outside the bladder led to chronic leakage of urine along suprapubic tract, which in turn predisposed to inflammation and infection of suprapubic tract, abdominal wall fat, osteomyelitis of pubis, and abscess at the insertion of adductor longus muscle

Conclusion

Suprapubic catheter should be anchored securely to prevent migration of the tip of catheter into urethra and accidental dislodgment of catheter. While changing the suprapubic catheter, correct placement of Foley catheter inside the urinary bladder must be ensured. In case of difficulty, it is advisable to perform exchange of catheter over a guide wire. Ultrasound examination of urinary bladder is useful to check the position of the balloon of Foley catheter.     

Posterior urethral trauma and strictures: an attempt to solve a controversy

Three cases of traumatic partial or complete posterior urethral rupture and subsequent stricture are reported. Treatment consisted of early suprapubic cystostomy, with/or without concomitant primary realignment of the urethra over a catheter, followed by urethral dilations and internal urethrotomy when indicated. Followup of 4 or more years showed excellent results.