Simultaneous bladder and prostatomembranous urethral rupture from external trauma

Simultaneous bladder and prostatomembranous (posterior) urethral ruptures from external trauma occur in 10 to 29 per cent of male patients with traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra. The records of 47 male patients with traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra were evaluated. A total of 8 patients (17 per cent) had simultaneous rupture of the bladder (4 extraperitoneal, 3 intraperitoneal and 1 both) and posterior urethra (5 complete and 3 partial ruptures). A fractured pelvis was present in all 8 patients, with an average of 3.1 associated injuries per patient. Both ruptures were diagnosed preoperatively in only 1 patient. In male patients with multiple injuries, including a fractured pelvis and rupture of the posterior urethra, a concomitant rupture of the bladder must be suspected and sought at surgical exploration.