The management of urethral trauma

Abstract

Urethral trauma is relatively uncommon. It occurs more frequently in young males. Injuries to the a nterior urethra are typically caused by blunt trauma including 'straddle' injuries, athough penetrating injuries do occur. Posterior urethral injurines are usually due to pelvic fractures from automobile or industrial accidents and occur in 10% of patients with a pelvic fracture. In addition to reviewing the management options available in this group of innjuries and highlighting areas of controversy, this article offers clear advice on the initial management of these innjuries on presentation in the emergency department. Subsequent definitive management depends on a variety of factors: the nature and size of the urethral innjury the extent and priorities of treatment of any associated injuries, the availability of local expertise and equipment for dealing with injuries of this type and the management philosophy of the clinical teams involved.