[Anterior urethral injury. Report of 23 cases]

We reviewed our experience in managing anterior urethral traumatic rupture.

Between January 1986 and December 1998 a total of 23 consecutive male patients with anterior urethral trauma were studied prospectively, including a clinical and radiographic of the pelvis examination, excretory urography and retrograde urethrography. The average patient age was 29 years (range 19 and 65 years). The mechanism of injury was represented by the blunt perineal trauma in 17 cases and the cavernous body rupture in six cases. Clinical manifestations are dominated by the urethrorragia (19 cases), urinary retention (16 cases), perineal hematoma (14 cases). Radiological imaging have shown a pelvic fracture (six cases), urethral rupture (17 cases) and bladder rupture (three cases). Therapeutic procedure realized in emergency in six patients having a cavernous body lesion and delayed repair in 17 other patients.

The outcame was favorable in 12 patients and recurrence stenosis has occurred in 11 patients who are corrected by optical urethrotomy (four cases), end-to-end anastomosis (two cases), B. Johanson urethroplasty (three cases) urethroplasty by penile skin (one case), dilations (one case).

Suprapubic cystostomy with healing control of the partial ruptures, delayed end-to-end anastomosis for total ruptures and immediate reparation of the urethral rupture when associated with a penile fracture are even the best warrant of a correct functional recovery.