Primary Urethral Realignment Versus Suprapubic Cystostomy After Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injury

The Outcomes of Primary Urethral Realignment Versus Suprapubic Cystostomy After Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injury

Pelvic fracture urethral injuries (PFUI) occur in up to 10% of pelvic fractures. It remains controversial whether initial urethral realignment after PFUI decreases rates of urethral obstruction and the need for subsequent urethral procedures.

The retrospective record review should determine the utility of acute urethral realignment after PFUI.

A retrospective chart review to compare outcomes between urethral realignment (group 1) and suprapubic tube (SPT) placement (group 2). The comparison will be between two routinely practiced management approaches of urethral injury after pelvic fracture.

Prior studies demonstrate urethral realignment is associated with a 15% to 50% reduction in urethral obstruction, however, it has also been associated with higher rates of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Our hypothesis is that early realignment of traumatic urethral injuries after pelvic fracture lowers the incidence of complications like urethral strictures and subsequent need for surgeries.

Inclusion Criteria:

Men > 18 years old Blunt force trauma Presence of pelvic fracture Urethral injury Inability to pass a Foley catheter retrograde through the injury into the bladder

Exclusion Criteria:

Straddle type urethral injuries without a pelvic fracture Passage of a catheter successfully in a retrograde fashion