Multi-disciplinary update on pelvic fracture associated bladder and urethral injuries

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
08:09

Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis

Published on: January 7, 2019

Bradley D Figler1, Brad Figler1, C Edward Hoffler

  • 1Department of Urology, University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, Box 359868, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. figler@gmail.com

Injury
|May 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Severe pelvic fractures frequently involve urogenital injuries. This review aids orthopaedic, urology, and trauma surgeons in diagnosing and managing these complex bladder and urethral injuries for better patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Traumatology
  • Urology
  • Orthopaedic Surgery

Background:

  • Pelvic ring fractures commonly lead to severe patient trauma and multiple organ injuries.
  • Urogenital injuries are the most frequent associated injuries in severe pelvic fractures.
  • Effective management is crucial but hindered by interdisciplinary communication challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a multidisciplinary review of bladder and urethral injuries associated with pelvic fractures.
  • To enhance diagnostic and management strategies for relevant surgical specialists.
  • To improve coordination among orthopaedic, urology, and trauma surgery teams.

Main Methods:

  • Multidisciplinary review of existing literature and clinical data.
  • Focus on associated bladder and urethral injuries in pelvic ring fractures.
  • Targeted towards orthopaedic, urology, and trauma surgeons.

Main Results:

  • Detailed analysis of common urogenital injuries in pelvic fracture patients.
  • Identification of diagnostic challenges and management considerations.
  • Emphasis on the importance of coordinated, multidisciplinary care.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt diagnosis and management of urogenital injuries are vital for patients with pelvic fractures.
  • A collaborative approach among surgical specialties improves patient outcomes.
  • This review serves as a guide for optimizing care in complex trauma cases.

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra01:19

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra

The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management01:25

Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management

Procedures for Kidney StonesMedical intervention is necessary when kidney stones or renal calculi are too large to pass spontaneously (typically greater than 5 millimeters) when stones are accompanied by symptomatic infection (such as fever or pyelonephritis), when they impair kidney function, or when they cause persistent symptoms like severe pain, nausea, or urinary retention. Additionally, patients with only one kidney or those who cannot be treated with medical management also require...
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:26

Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...
Urinary Bladder01:23

Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management01:30

Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management

The diagnosis of renal calculi involves several imaging techniques, including non-contrast CT scans and ultrasound. These methods help visualize kidney stones, assess their size and location, and detect possible obstructions. Additionally, Measuring urine pH is useful for diagnosing specific stone types, such as struvite (alkaline pH) and uric acid stones (acidic pH). Cystine stones are primarily linked to cystinuria, a genetic condition. A urinalysis helps detect blood in the urine (hematuria)...