Immediate postoperative complications of combined penetrating rectal and bladder injuries

A systematic review of penetrating perineal trauma in a civilian setting

PURPOSE

Penetrating injuries to the perineum and associated pelvic organs have largely been reported in the military. Given the rarity of presentation and unique clinical characteristics of these injuries, we set out to address the gap in the literature in civilian settings.

METHODS

A systematic review of studies addressing penetrating perineal trauma from January 2000 to April 2021 was performed. Outcomes of interest were the epidemiology, associated injuries, management, follow-up, and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

26 studies were included in this review, reporting on a total of 2316 patients. Most injuries occurred in males (88.1%), with gunshot wounds (88.2%) representing the most common aetiology, followed by knife wounds (5.0%), impalement (3.1%), coital injuries/sexual assault (1.5%), and others (2.4%). Regarding associated injuries, anorectal (n = 1419, 69.4%), bladder (n = 351, 32.4%), penile (n = 282, 20.8%), scrotal (n = 375, 27.7%), and testicular (n = 229, 16.9%) occurred frequently. Bony injuries involved the pelvis (n = 88, 8.1%) and femoral fractures (n = 5, 0.5%), while soft-tissue injuries involved the inguinal region (n = 19, 1.6%) and buttocks (n = 14, 1.3%). Vascular injuries occurred in 79 (7.8%) patients. Regarding patient outcomes, 65 (4.8%) deaths were reported, and significant morbidity was detected with a mean injury severity score of 18.4 detected in the cohort. In terms of complications of injury, wound/infective complications (n = 135, 61.3%) and fistula formation/leakage (n = 16, 0.7%) featured prominently.

CONCLUSION

Penetrating perineal trauma in the civilian population poses a considerable challenge to clinicians, compounded by the potential for multisystem injury requiring involvement of different medical and surgical specialties.

Combined intra- and extra-peritoneal bladder perforation following rectal impalement injury

A 62-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and hematuria following impalement of the rectum with a wooden foreign object. CT imaging showed air and fluid in the peritoneum prompting the patient to undergo abdominal exploration. An anterior rectal perforation was discovered along with dual bladder lacerations of the posterior wall and dome. The patient underwent a diverting colostomy and primary bladder repair. Post-operative course was uncomplicated and bladder repair was followed via cystograms with catheter removal 2 months post-operatively. Four months after the injury the patient underwent colostomy closure and remains with normal bladder and bowel function at 21-month follow-up.

When the bowel meets the bladder: Optimal management of colorectal pathology with urological involvement

Fistulae between the gastrointestinal and urinary systems are rare but becoming increasingly more common in current surgical practice. They are a heterogeneous group of pathological entities that are uncommon complications of both benign and malignant processes. As the incidence of complicated diverticular disease and colorectal malignancy increases, so too does the extent of fistulous connections between the gastrointestinal and urinary systems. These complex problems will be more common as a factor of an aging population with increased life expectancy. Diverticular disease is the most commonly encountered aetiology, accounting for up to 80% of cases, followed by colorectal malignancy in up to 20%. A high index of suspicion is required in order to make the diagnosis, with ever improving imaging techniques playing an important role in the diagnostic algorithm. Management strategies vary, with most surgeons now advocating for a single-stage approach to enterovesical fistulae, particularly in the elective setting. Concomitant bladder management techniques are also disputed. Traditionally, open techniques were the standard; however, increased experience and advances in surgical technology have contributed to refined and improved laparoscopic management. Unfortunately, due to the relative rarity of these entities, no randomised studies have been performed to ascertain the most appropriate management strategy. Rectourinary fistulae have dramatically increased in incidence with advances in the non-operative management of prostate cancer. With radiotherapy being a major contributing factor in the development of these complex fistulae, optimum surgical approach and exposure has changed accordingly to optimise their management. Conservative management in the form of diversion therapy is effective in temporising the situation and allowing for the diversion of faecal contents if there is associated soiling, macerated tissues or associated co-morbidities. One may plan for definitive surgical intervention at a later stage. Less contaminated cases with no fibrosis may proceed directly to definitive surgery if the appropriate expertise is available. An abdominal approach with direct repair and omentum interposition between the repaired tissues has been well described. In low lying fistulae, a transperineal approach with the patient in a prone-jack knife position provides optimum exposure and allows for the use of interposition muscle grafts. According to recent literature, it offers a high success rate in complex cases.

Concomitant bladder and rectal injuries: Results from the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Multicenter Rectal Injury Study Group

BACKGROUND

Combined traumatic injuries to the rectum and bladder are rare. We hypothesized that the combination of bladder and rectal injures would have worse outcomes than rectal injury alone.

METHODS

This is an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multi-institutional retrospective study from 2004 to 2015 traumatic rectal injury patients who were admitted to one of 22 participating centers. Demographics, mechanism, and management of rectal injury were collected. Patients who sustained a rectal injury alone were compared with patients who sustained a combined injury to the bladder and rectum. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine if abdominal complications, mortality, and length of stay were impacted by a concomitant bladder injury after adjusting for cofounders.

RESULTS

There were 424 patients who sustained a traumatic rectal injury, of which 117 (28%) had a combined injury to the bladder. When comparing the patients with a combined bladder/rectal injury to the rectal alone group, there was no difference in admission demographics admission physiology, or Injury Severity Score. There were also no differences in management of the rectal injury and no difference in abdominal complications (13% vs. 16%, p = 0.38), mortality (3% vs. 2%, p = 0.68), or length of stay (17 days vs. 21 days, p = 0.10). When looking at only the 117 patients with a combined injury, the addition of a colostomy did not significantly decrease the rate of abdominal complications (14% vs. 8%, p = 0.42), mortality (3% vs. 0%, p = 0.99), or length of stay (17 days vs. 17 days, p = 0.94). After adjusting for cofounders (AAST rectal injury grade, sex, damage-control surgery, diverting colostomy, and length of stay) the presence of a bladder injury did not impact outcomes.

CONCLUSION

For patients with traumatic rectal injury, a concomitant bladder injury does not increase the rates of abdominal complications, mortality, or length of stay. Furthermore, the addition of a diverting colostomy for management of traumatic bladder and rectal injury does not change outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV; prognostic/therapeutic.

Blunt trauma pelvic fracture-associated genitourinary and concomitant lower gastrointestinal injury: incidence, morbidity, and mortality

PURPOSE

Limited data exist on the characteristics, risk factors, and management of blunt trauma pelvic fractures causing genitourinary (GU) and lower gastrointestinal (GI) injury. We sought to determine these parameters and elucidate independent risk factors.

METHODS

The National Trauma Data Bank for years 2010-2014 was queried for pelvic fractures by ICD-9-CM codes. Exclusion criteria included age ≤ 17 years, penetrating injury, or incomplete records. Patients were divided into three cohorts: pelvic fracture, pelvic fracture with GU injury, and pelvic fracture with GU and GI injury. Between-group comparisons were made using stratified analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors for concomitant GI injury.

RESULTS

In total, 180,931 pelvic fractures were found, 3.3% had GU, and 0.15% had GU and GI injury. Most common mechanism was vehicular collision. Injury severity score, pelvic AIS, and mortality were higher with combined injury (p < 0.001), leading to longer hospital and ICU stays and ventilator days (p < 0.001) with more frequent discharges to acute rehabilitation (p < 0.01). Surgical management of concomitant injuries involved both urinary (62%) and rectal repairs (81%) or diversions (29% and 46%, respectively). Male gender (OR = 2.42), disruption of the pelvic circle (OR = 6.04), pubis fracture (OR = 2.07), innominate fracture (OR = 1.84), and SBP < 90 mmgh (OR = 1.59) were the strongest independent predictors of combined injury (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Pelvic fractures with lower GU and GI injury represent < 1% of pelvic fractures. They are associated with more severe injuries and increased hospital resource utilization. Strongest independent predictors are disruption of the pelvic circle, male gender, innominate fracture, and SBP < 90mm Hg.

Penetrating pelvic trauma: Initial assessment and surgical management in emergency

Penetrating pelvic trauma (PPT) is defined as a wound extending within the bony confines of the pelvis to involve the vascular, intestinal or urinary pelvic organs. The gravity of PPT is related to initial hemorrhage and the high risk of late infection. If the patient is hemodynamically unstable and in hemorrhagic shock, the urgent treatment goal is rapid achievement of hemostasis. Initial strategy relies on insertion of an intra-aortic occlusion balloon and/or extraperitoneal pelvic packing, performed while damage control resuscitation is ongoing before proceeding to arteriography. If hemodynamic instability persists, a laparotomy for hemostasis is performed without delay. In a hemodynamically stable patient, contrast-enhanced CT is systematically performed to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the lesions prior to surgery. At surgery, damage control principles should be applied to all involved systems (digestive, vascular, urinary and bone), with exteriorization of digestive and urinary channels, arterial revascularization, and wide drainage of peri-rectal and pelvic soft tissues. When immediate definitive surgery is performed, management must address the frequent associated lesions in order to reduce the risk of postoperative sepsis and fistula.

The incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injuries within the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injury in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and to identify the current optimal investigation and management of patients with traumatic bladder injuries.

METHODS

The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) trauma registry was interrogated retrospectively for all traumatic bladder injuries between 1 January 2012 and 31 October 2014.

RESULTS

Of 8129 patients treated by the PMTS over the study period, 58 patients (0.7% or 6.5 cases per 1,000,000 population per year) had bladder injuries, 65% caused by penetrating trauma and 35% by blunt trauma. The majority (60%) were intraperitoneal bladder ruptures (IBRs), followed by 22% extraperitoneal bladder ruptures (EBRs). There was a high rate of associated injury, with blunt trauma being associated with pelvic fracture and penetrating trauma being associated with rectum and small intestine injuries. The mortality rate was 5%. Most bladder injuries were diagnosed at surgery or by computed tomography (CT) scan. All IBRs were managed operatively, as well as 38% of EBRs; the remaining EBRs were managed by catheter drainage and observation. In the majority of operative repairs, the bladder was closed in two layers, and was drained with only a urethral catheter. Most patients (91%) were managed definitively by the surgeons on the trauma service.

CONCLUSION

Traumatic bladder rupture caused by blunt or penetrating trauma is rare and mortality is due to associated injuries. CT scan is the investigative modality of choice. In our environment IBR is more common than EBR and requires operative management. Most EBRs can be managed non-operatively, and then require routine follow-up cystography. Simple traumatic bladder injuries can be managed definitively by trauma surgeons. A dedicated urological surgeon should be consulted for complex injuries.

Treatment of complex perineal trauma. A review of the literature

Perineal injuries are uncommon, but not rare. They may present a wide variety of injury patterns which demand an accurate diagnostic assessment and treatment. Perineal injuries may occur as isolated injuries to the soft tissues or may be associated with pelvic organ, abdominal or even lower extremity injury. Hence the importance to know in depth not only the anatomy of the perineum and its organs, but also the implications of the patient's hemodynamic stability on the decision making process when treating these injuries using established trauma guidelines. The purpose of this review is to describe the current epidemiology and clinical presentation of perineal injuries in order to provide specific guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of both stable and unstable patients.

Penetrating bladder trauma: a high risk factor for associated rectal injury

Demographics and mechanisms were analyzed in prospectively maintained level one trauma center database 1990-2012. Among 2,693 trauma laparotomies, 113 (4.1%) presented bladder lesions; 51.3% with penetrating injuries (n = 58); 41.3% (n = 24) with rectal injuries, males corresponding to 95.8%, mean age 29.8 years; 79.1% with gunshot wounds and 20.9% with impalement; 91.6% arriving the emergence room awake (Glasgow 14-15), hemodynamically stable (average systolic blood pressure 119.5 mmHg); 95.8% with macroscopic hematuria; and 100% with penetrating stigmata. Physical exam was not sensitive for rectal injuries, showing only 25% positivity in patients. While 60% of intraperitoneal bladder injuries were surgically repaired, extraperitoneal ones were mainly repaired using Foley catheter alone (87.6%). Rectal injuries, intraperitoneal in 66.6% of the cases and AAST-OIS grade II in 45.8%, were treated with primary suture plus protective colostomy; 8.3% were sigmoid injuries, and 70.8% of all injuries had a minimum stool spillage. Mean injury severity score was 19; mean length of stay 10 days; 20% of complications with no death. Concomitant rectal injuries were not a determinant prognosis factor. Penetrating bladder injuries are highly associated with rectal injuries (41.3%). Heme-negative rectal examination should not preclude proctoscopy and eventually rectal surgical exploration (only 25% sensitivity).

Rectal impalement with bladder perforation: A review from a single institution

Context:

Impalement injuries of the rectum with bladder perforation have been rarely reported. Such lesions have been associated with increased postoperative morbidity. A well-conducted preoperative evaluation of the lesions tends to prevent such complications.

Aims:

To increase awareness about patients with rectal impalement that involve bladder injuries and to examine the significance of thorough clinical examination and complementary investigation for these patients’ management.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospectively, we identified three patients with rectal impalement and bladder perforation treated in University Hospital Hassan II, Fez, Morocco. We recorded the symptoms, subsequent management, and further follow-up for each patient. All available variables of published cases were reviewed and analyzed.

Results:

Evident urologic symptoms were present in only one patient. Bladder perforation was suspected in two other patients on the basis of anterior rectal perforation in digital exam. Retrograde uroscanner could definitely confirm the diagnosis of bladder perforation. Fecal and urine diversion was the basis of the treatment. No postoperative complications were noted. We have reviewed 14 previous reports. They are presented mainly with urine drainage through the rectum. Radiologic investigation (retrograde cystography and retrograde uroscanner) confirmed bladder perforation in 10 patients (71.4%). Unnecessary laparotomy was performed in six patients (42.8%). Fecal diversion and urinary bladder decompression using urethral catheter were the most performed procedures in bladder perforation [6/14 patients (42.8%)]. No specific postoperative complications were reported.

Conclusions:

A high index of clinical suspicion is required to make the diagnosis of bladder perforation while assessing patients presenting with rectal impalement. Meticulous preoperative assessment is the clue of successful management.

Enterovesical fistulae: aetiology, imaging, and management

Background and Study Objectives. Enterovesical fistula (EVF) is a devastating complication of a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. Radiological imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis of EVF and is indispensable to gastroenterologists and surgeons for choosing the correct therapeutic option. This paper provides an overview of the diagnosis of enterovesical fistulae. The treatment of fistulae is also briefly discussed. Material and Methods. We performed a literature review by searching the Medline database for articles published from its inception until September 2013 based on clinical relevance. Electronic searches were limited to the keywords: "enterovesical fistula," "colovesical fistula" (CVF), "pelvic fistula", and "urinary fistula". Results. EVF is a rare pathology. Diverticulitis is the commonest aetiology. Over two-thirds of affected patients describe pathognomonic features of pneumaturia, fecaluria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Computed tomography is the modality of choice for the diagnosis of enterovesical fistulae as not only does it detect a fistula, but it also provides information about the surrounding anatomical structures. Conclusions. In the vast majority of cases, this condition is diagnosed because of unremitting urinary symptoms after gastroenterologist follow-up procedures for a diverticulitis or bowel inflammatory disease. Computed tomography is the most sensitive test for enterovesical fistula.

Gunshot wounds to the lower urinary tract: a single-institution experience

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze characteristics and outcomes of gunshot wounds to the lower urinary tract at our Level I trauma center. Our hypothesis is that gunshot wounds to the lower urinary tract have characteristic bullet trajectories, injury patterns, and associated injuries.

METHODS

Our prospective trauma database was composed of reviewed gunshot wounds to the lower urinary tract including the pelvic ureter, bladder, or urethra from 1989 through 2011.

RESULTS

We identified 50 patients (median age, 25 years; range, 3-53 years) with lower urinary tract injury. There was a mean of 2.3 bullets per patient (range, 1-8), with 26 patients injured from a single bullet. Urologic injury involving only the bladder occurred in 72% (36 of 50) of the patients. Ureteral injury was diagnosed in 20% (10 of 50) of the patients. Bullet trajectory was known in the majority of multiple bullet injuries and all cases involving a single bullet.All patients but one were managed operatively. During exploration, 90% (34 of 38) with transmural bladder injury had recognized bladder entry and exit wounds. Overall, 80% (40 of 50) had concurrent gastrointestinal injury. In patients with a single gunshot wound to the lower urinary tract, 58% (15 of 26) sustained concomitant intestinal injury, and 23% (6 of 26) sustained rectal injury.Of 20 posteroanterior gunshot wounds, 80% had buttock entry. All 10 single-bullet buttock-entry gunshot wounds injured the bladder. Isolated ureteral injury was associated with lower abdominal entry and anteroposterior trajectory. Urethral injury occurred in 4, with 75% upper-thigh entry.

CONCLUSION

Penetrating injuries to the lower urinary tract most commonly involve the bladder. During exploration for gunshot wounds to the bladder, two injury sites should be expected because failure to close may lead to complications. Gunshot wounds to the lower urinary tract often occur with concomitant bowel injury, with buttock entry. A multidisciplinary approach involving general surgery is imperative.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiologic study, level IV.

Enterovesical fistulas: diagnosis and management

Enterovesical fistula (EVF) is an abnormal communication between the intestine and the bladder. It represents a rare complication of inflammatory or neoplastic disease, and traumatic or iatrogenic injuries. The most common aetiologies are diverticular disease and colorectal carcinoma. Over 75% of affected patients describe pathognomonic features of pneumaturia, faecaluria and recurrent urinary tract infections. The diagnosis of EVF can be challenging, and frequently patients are monitored for months before the condition is recognised and treated effectively. Diagnostic tools include laboratory tests, imaging studies and endoscopic procedures. Although conservative management can be attempted in selected patients, in most cases, the treatment is mainly based on surgical interventions. Recently, the laparoscopic approach to EVF has been shown to be safe and effective. Although it is a rare condition in a general surgery setting, EVF is a challenging condition leading to high morbidity and mortality rates.

Combined penetrating injury of the perineum and abdominal viscera

This is a rare presentation. A farmer aged 52 years old was brought to the emergency service of Government District (Doon) Hospital in the late evening having significant bleeding per rectum. He had injured his perineum on a sharp wooden stick during a fall near a tube well. The wooden stick had been extracted by his relatives, which had resulted in profuse bleeding. The patient was managed with intravenous crystalloids and rushed to the operating theatre for examination under analgesia. Blood transfusion was arranged and the wound explored under general anaesthesia. The patient had unusual associated visceral injuries as well as sphincter, rectum, urinary bladder, ileal loop and mesentery injuries. The injured bowel, mesentery, urinary bladder and rectum were repaired with diversion of the upper pelvic colon. In addition, debridement of the perineal wound with rectal sphincter repair was performed and the presacral space drained. The colostomy was closed after 3 months, and the patient survived and is continent.

Anorectal trauma: the use of computed tomography scan in diagnosis

Anorectal injuries represent a relatively uncommon but clinically critical diagnosis in trauma. Anorectal injuries may be the result of penetrating injuries to the pelvis and perineal area as well as severe blunt traumatic injuries, often with pelvic fractures. The purpose of this review is to discuss injuries to the anorectal region sustained in trauma, specifically, in the application of multidetector computed tomography technology to these imaging diagnoses. An understanding of the pertinent anatomy is critical in characterization of these injuries using computed tomography (CT). Additionally, the subsequent clinical management decisions and how they are impacted by severity and location of injury in anorectal trauma is useful to the radiologist. This should serve to highlight the specific areas and injury distinctions that deserve our particular attention given possible changes in the ensuing management approaches. CT protocol issues including the use of oral, rectal, and intravenous contrast, as necessary, are relevant in maximizing the diagnostic accuracies of CT in anorectal trauma. This review serves to discuss and illustrate these pertinent issues, approaching penetrating and blunt trauma separately, with the emphasis on multidetector computed tomography in diagnosis.