Nonoperative management of bladder rupture from external trauma

Nonoperative (catheter) management was used in 18 patients with extraperitoneal rupture of the bladder with limited extravasation of dye found by retrograde cystogram. Complications occurred in 4 of the 18 patients. A review of the literature shows a 20 to 25-per cent complication rate with nonoperative management of bladder rupture. However, with a small extraperitoneal rupture with limited extravasation, especially in a female, the nonoperative (catheter) management will give a satisfactory result.