Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra

Alternative names:

bladder injury; bruised bladder; injury of the bladder and urethra; urethral injury

Treatment:

The goals of treatment are control of symptoms, repair of the injury, and prevention of complications. Emergency treatment of bleeding, shock, or hemorrhage may include intravenous fluids or blood, and monitoring in the hospital.

Treatment of peritonitis may include emergency surgery to repair the injury and to drain the urine from the abdominal cavity. Antibiotics may be given to treat peritonitis and to prevent the development of urinary tract infections. Surgical repair of the injury is usually successful. The bladder may be drained by a catheter for days to weeks. This will prevent urine from accumulating in the bladder, which allows the injured bladder or urethra to more easily heal. This also prevents obstruction of urine flow caused by urethral swelling.

Expectations (prognosis):

Traumatic injury of the bladder and the urethra may range from minor and self limiting in some cases, to major and life threatening in other cases. There may be severe immediate or long-term complications.

Complications:

• bleeding, hemorrhage, shock
• peritonitis
• scar formation, obstruction of the urethra
• urinary retention
• vesicoureteric reflux
• acute bilateral obstructive uropathy
• chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of traumatic injury of the bladder or urethra occur, particularly if there is a history of injury to the area.

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, including symptoms of shock or hemorrhage (see symptoms), fever, severe abdominal pain, severe flank or back pain, or decrease in urine production.