Management of extraperitoneal bladder rupture

Extraperitoneal bladder ruptures secondary to blunt trauma are caused by fractures of the bony pelvis 95 per cent of the time. A static cystogram is the only way to diagnose the lesion definitely. We have treated our 41 patients successfully with catheter drainage alone despite extensive urinary extravasation. Eighty-seven per cent of the ruptures will be healed in 10 days, and virtually all will be healed in 3 weeks.