Blunt bladder trauma: Laparoscopic repair

Blunt abdominal trauma is associated with a bladder injury in 1.6% of cases. The patient's conditions and the specific diagnosis determine the best surgical approach, be it open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery. We present the diagnosis and laparoscopic management of a 31-year-old patient with intraperitoneal bladder rupture due to a traffic accident.

[Non-infectious emergencies of the lower urinary tract and genitals]

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this narrative review was to report the most relevant data on the contemporary management of the main non-infectious emergencies of the lower urinary tract and genital organs.

METHODS

A narrative synthesis of the articles (French, English) available on the Pubmed database was carried out in June 2021. A request to the health surveillance network for emergencies and deaths (SurSaUD®, Santé Publique France) revealed original data on the epidemiology of non-infectious lower urinary tract and genital organs emergencies.

RESULTS

Non-infectious emergencies of the low urinary tract and genital organs represent a large panel of traumatic and non-traumatic situations, which constitute the 3rd reasons in urology for a consultation at the emergency department after, infectious disease (1st) and non-traumatic/non-infectious emergencies of the upper urinary tract (2nd). Hematuria is the 3rd urological reason for men for a consultation at the emergency department. Globally, pelvic trauma and genital traumatism mainly concern men. These emergencies rarely affect the prognosis but can be integrated into more complete situations which are likely to impact their treatment, particularly in multiple traumas.

CONCLUSIONS

In this article we report the epidemiology and the principles of management of non-infectious emergencies of the lower urinary tract and genital organs.

Bladder perforation: A rare complication of retention management

A healthy 25 year old woman presented with acute urinary retention following alcohol ingestion. A 14 french foley catheter drained over 1 L of haematuria immediately. Due to worsening and persistent abdominal pain, CT and ultrasound imaging was performed, demonstrating only a small amount of free fluid. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed an intraperitoneal bladder perforation with the foley catheter visible. The bladder defect was repaired and she recovered well. This is a rare case of likely iatrogenic bladder perforation from simple catheterisation without predisposing comorbidities, highlighting the importance of correct technique and awareness of potential complications.

Injury severity score associated with concurrent bladder injury in patients with blunt urethral injury

BACKGROUND

Delayed diagnosis of concurrent bladder damage in a patient with blunt urethral trauma can lead to a high rate of morbidity. In patients with a high index of suspicion, genitourinary workup is recommended. In complicated patients with multi-trauma, this workup has a risk of being delayed. A proven prognostic indicator to evaluate the likelihood of bladder injury in this population has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a clinical association between the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and bladder injury involvement among these patients.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 98 patients who presented with blunt urethral trauma to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center between 2002 and 2014. Univariate analysis was performed to determine if there was an association between concurrent bladder injuries and ISS among other factors. A receiver operating characteristic curve plot was performed to analyze the association between ISS and bladder involvement.

RESULTS

Of the 98 patients with blunt urethral trauma, 28 had concurrent bladder injury. ISS was shown to have a significant correlation with concurrent bladder injury (OR = 2.2 per 10 unit change in ISS, p = 0.0001). ROC curve analysis showed an area under the curve for the prediction of bladder injury. Patients with ISS ≥ 34 had a 54% chance of bladder injury, while patients with ISS < 34 had a 13% chance.

CONCLUSION

ISS ≥ 34, a score in the range of severe multi-trauma, may be a clinical indicator of bladder injury in patients presenting with blunt urethral trauma.

FUNDING

This research was supported in part by the Proposed Research Initiated by Students and Mentors (PRISM) Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine Office of Student Research.

Imaging Genitourinary Trauma

Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has become a critical tool in the evaluation of the trauma patient. MDCT can quickly and accurately assess trauma patients for renal, ureteral, and bladder injuries. Moreover, CT guides clinical management triaging patients to those requiring discharge, observation, angioembolization, and surgery. Recognition of urinary tract trauma on initial scan acquisition should prompt delayed excretory phase imaging to identify urine leaks. Urethral and testicular trauma are imaged with retrograde urethrography and sonography, respectively.

The incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injuries within the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injury in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and to identify the current optimal investigation and management of patients with traumatic bladder injuries.

METHODS

The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) trauma registry was interrogated retrospectively for all traumatic bladder injuries between 1 January 2012 and 31 October 2014.

RESULTS

Of 8129 patients treated by the PMTS over the study period, 58 patients (0.7% or 6.5 cases per 1,000,000 population per year) had bladder injuries, 65% caused by penetrating trauma and 35% by blunt trauma. The majority (60%) were intraperitoneal bladder ruptures (IBRs), followed by 22% extraperitoneal bladder ruptures (EBRs). There was a high rate of associated injury, with blunt trauma being associated with pelvic fracture and penetrating trauma being associated with rectum and small intestine injuries. The mortality rate was 5%. Most bladder injuries were diagnosed at surgery or by computed tomography (CT) scan. All IBRs were managed operatively, as well as 38% of EBRs; the remaining EBRs were managed by catheter drainage and observation. In the majority of operative repairs, the bladder was closed in two layers, and was drained with only a urethral catheter. Most patients (91%) were managed definitively by the surgeons on the trauma service.

CONCLUSION

Traumatic bladder rupture caused by blunt or penetrating trauma is rare and mortality is due to associated injuries. CT scan is the investigative modality of choice. In our environment IBR is more common than EBR and requires operative management. Most EBRs can be managed non-operatively, and then require routine follow-up cystography. Simple traumatic bladder injuries can be managed definitively by trauma surgeons. A dedicated urological surgeon should be consulted for complex injuries.

Imaging of Urinary System Trauma

Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the kidney, ureter, and bladder permit accurate and prompt diagnosis or exclusion of traumatic injuries, without the need to move the patient to the fluoroscopy suite. Real-time review of imaging permits selective delayed imaging, reducing time on the scanner and radiation dose for patients who do not require delays. Modifying imaging parameters to obtain thicker slices and noisier images permits detection of contrast extravasation from the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, while reducing radiation dose on the delayed or cystographic imaging. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading system is discussed, along with challenges and limitations.

Review of the current management of lower urinary tract injuries by the EAU Trauma Guidelines Panel

CONTEXT

The most recent European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on urologic trauma were published in 2014.

OBJECTIVE

To present a summary of the 2014 version of the EAU guidelines on urologic trauma of the lower urinary tract with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The EAU Trauma Panel reviewed the English-language literature via a Medline search for lower urinary tract injury (LUTI) up to November 2013. The focus was on newer publications and reviews, although older key references could be included.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A full version of the guidelines is available in print (EAU Guidelines 2014 edition, ISBN/EAN 978-90-79754-65-6) and online (www.uroweb.org). Blunt trauma is the main cause of LUTI. The preferred diagnostic modality for bladder and urethral injury is cystography and urethrography, respectively. In the treatment of bladder injuries, it is important to distinguish between extra- and intraperitoneal ruptures. Treatment of male anterior urethral injuries depends on the cause (blunt vs penetrating vs penile-fracture-related injury). Blunt posterior urethral injuries can be corrected by immediate/early endoscopic realignment. If this is not possible, such injuries are managed by suprapubic urinary diversion and deferred (>3 mo) urethroplasty. Treatment of female urethral injuries depends on the location of the injury and is usually surgical.

CONCLUSIONS

Correct treatment of LUTIs is important to minimise long-term urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction. This review performed by the EAU trauma panel summarises the current management of LUTIs.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Patients with trauma to the lower urinary tract benefit from accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment according to the nature and severity of their injury.