Treatment of posterior and anterior urethral trauma

To assess the occurrence and treatment of posterior urethral (most often caused by traffic accidents and comprising half of all cases of urinary tract traumas) and anterior urethral injury (usually iatrogenic during catheterization or cystoscopy, or caused by blunt trauma, e.g. straddle injury or penetrating trauma).

The records and details of patients with posterior and anterior urethral trauma were analysed from 61 urological departments in Poland between 1995 and 1999.

During the 5-year period there were 268 cases of posterior and 255 of anterior urethral injury; for the former, most occurred during traffic accidents, and of the latter 206 were iatrogenic (during catheterization or cystoscopy), of which 48 were accompanied by perineal injury. The posterior injuries were isolated or involved many organs, mainly pelvic bones. Both types of injuries were diagnosed using ascending urethrography, voiding cysto-urethrography and urethroscopy/endoscopy. Treatment for posterior injuries included cystostomy alone or cystostomy with abdominal drainage or perineal drainage; some patients also had their urethra reconstructed. The treatment for anterior injuries was conservative in 193 patients and surgical in 62.

The early detection and appropriate surgical treatment of posterior and anterior urethral injury is crucial for the recovery of urethral function, and avoids many complications.