Bladder Injuries in Pediatric Age: A 12-Year Experience in a Tertiary Center

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Trauma Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Bladder injuries are uncommon in children, often resulting from blunt trauma, particularly motor vehicle accidents.
• A full bladder is more susceptible to rupture, with the dome being the most frequent site of injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present cases of pediatric bladder injuries treated at a tertiary pediatric center over 12 years.
• To evaluate diagnostic methods and treatment approaches, including minimally invasive options.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of pediatric bladder injury cases (2013-2024).
• Analysis of demographics, etiology, associated injuries, clinical presentation, treatment, and follow-up.
• Review of diagnostic modalities including CT, retrograde cystography, and ultrasound.

Main Results:

• Seven pediatric bladder injury cases were identified, predominantly due to trauma.
• Diagnosis utilized CT, retrograde cystography, ultrasound, and intraoperative findings.
• Extraperitoneal injuries were managed conservatively; intraperitoneal ruptures underwent surgical repair, including one laparoscopic procedure. No complications were reported.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric bladder lesions, though rare, necessitate high clinical suspicion based on injury mechanism and symptoms.
• Retrograde cystography may not always be mandatory if other imaging modalities provide sufficient diagnostic information.
• Laparoscopy presents a viable option for diagnosing and treating isolated, non-complex pediatric bladder injuries in stable patients.