Injury and damage to the urethra
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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[Causes of injury and damage to the urethra
Penetrating, isolated injuries of the urethra occur less frequently, may be the result of the introduction of objects into the urethra due to sexual activity or mental illness.
Among the injuries of the urethra, there are contusions, partial or complete ruptures, which are front and back. The posterior ruptures of the urethra, as a rule, occur with fractures of the pelvic bones, the front ones due to perineal injuries. Penetrating and iatrogenic injuries of the urethra are also divided into the front and back. Complications of urethral injuries include strictures, infections, erectile dysfunction, incontinence.
Symptoms of injury and damage to the urethra
The most important sign of damage to the urethra is the appearance of blood from its mouth. Additional symptoms include bruising and swelling in the perineum and scrotum. Retrograde urethrography confirms the diagnosis. It is not recommended to perform urethral catheterization before urethrography.
What do need to examine?
Treatment of trauma and damage to the urethra
The bruise can be safely treated with transurethral catheterization for 10 days. At partial rupture it is better to perform suprapubic cystostomy; however, in some cases of posterior partial rupture, an attempt of primary comparison of the urethra on the catheter is permissible.
At full rupture, superposition of the suprapubic epicystostome is shown. This is the simplest choice, safe for all patients. Reconstructive surgery is postponed to 3 months from the time of injury, after scar formation and recovery of the patient from combined injuries.