Management of pelvic fracture urethral injuries in the developing world

Pelvic fracture causes urethral injury in about 10% of patients. The etiology of injury is different in developing and developed world. While high-velocity automobile accidents are common in developed countries, where patients are in the car and there is usually a side impact, in the developing world, significant number of injuries are caused by two-wheeler accidents, pedestrians, farming accidents, fall from height, fall from tractor, fall from tree, and other causes like earthquake. We share our experience which is the largest in the reported literature.

In our tertiary referral center, we get referrals from all across the globe. Since 1995 till 2018 we have performed 1307 surgeries for Pelvic fracture urethral injury. Our referrals are for complex urethroplasty. Our data from 1995-2018 was analyzed. Data after June 2018 was not included so as to have a minimum follow up of 6 months.

1296 patients were males and 11 were females. In the group of 1296 males, mean age was 32.4 years (range 1-79 years). The minimum follow-up was 6 months, and the median follow-up was 56.7 months (range 6.2-233.7). The overall success rate was 88.79% for primary cases while re-do urethroplasty patients had a success rate of 83.70%. The majority of our patients (more than 61.40%) needed inferior pubectomy: Of the total 1307 cases of urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury data was available for 1042 patients. Data were available for 1042 patients. The data from 2012 onwards were prospectively analyzed while the previous data were retrospectively analyzed.

PFUI are common in the developing world. They tend to be more complex and have longer gaps as compared to developed world. This could be related to the anthropometric differences between races as well as nature of injury. They are best managed with delayed transperineal repair with excellent outcomes. Ancillary maneuvers are more frequently required. Re-do urethroplasty can achieve good results.