The management of an extraperitoneal bladder injury associated with a pelvic fracture

Bladder Repair With Irrigation and Debridement and Open Reduction Internal Fixation of the Anterior Pelvic Ring Is Safe and Decreases Risk of Infection in Pelvic Ring Injuries With Extraperitoneal Bladder Ruptures

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of infection in nonoperative versus operative management of extraperitoneal bladder ruptures in patients with pelvic ring injuries.

METHODS

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study of 2 prospectively collected trauma registries.

SETTING

Two Level 1 trauma centers.

PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Patients with operative pelvic ring injuries, 68 (6%) had extraperitoneal bladder ruptures.

OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS

The primary outcome was the incidence and associated risk factors of deep pelvic infection requiring return to OR for surgical debridement. Secondary outcomes included quality of reduction, other complications, and radiographic union. Comparisons were made based on the status of any associated bladder injury.

RESULTS

Of 1127 patients with operative pelvic ring injuries, 68 patients had extraperitoneal bladder ruptures, 55 had bladder repair and 13 did not. Of those 13 without repair, none had ORIF of the anterior pelvic ring. Patients without bladder repair had an increased odds of infection 17-fold compared to patients who did have a repair performed (OR 16.9, 95% CI 1.75 - 164, P = 0.01). Other associated factors for deep pelvic infection included use of suprapubic catheter ( p < 0.02) and a closed reduction of the anterior ring ( p < 0.01). Patients undergoing anterior ring ORIF and bladder repair had improved reductions and no increased infection risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Operative repair of extraperitoneal bladder ruptures decreases risk of infection in patients with pelvic ring injuries. Additionally, ORIF of the anterior pelvic ring does not increase the risk of infection and results in better reductions compared to closed reduction. Treatment algorithms for these combined injuries should consider recommending early bladder repair and anterior pelvic ORIF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Spontaneous Rupture of the Urinary Bladder in an Elderly Diabetic Male

Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder (SRUB) represents an infrequent but critical urological crisis with significant morbidity and mortality risk especially in cases of septicemia. While various factors contribute to its etiology, SRUB often manifests secondary to pre-existing bladder pathologies such as chronic inflammation, neoplasia, iatrogenic radiation exposure, or obstructive uropathy. An 82-year-old male presented with acute, left-lateralized abdominal discomfort. Clinical evaluation revealed diffuse erythema and swelling within the left lower abdominal quadrant, indicative of cellulitis. Pelvic sonographic imaging detected a 4 cm fluid collection, coupled with cellulitis in the left anterolateral segment of the lower abdominal wall, stemming from a discernible defect in the anterosuperior aspect of the bladder. Drainage of 1600 cc of purulent urine was achieved via a 16-Fr urethral catheter (Safety Science Medical Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Subsequent pelvic computed tomography and cystographic studies elucidated a pathological communication between the anterior bladder wall and the left lateral abdominal wall, along with a localized urinoma. The present case underscores the imperative nature of immediate therapeutic intervention in the effective management of SRUB. Successful surgical repair and a complication-free postoperative trajectory were observed, enriching the prevailing medical literature on SRUB. The case amplifies the necessity for acute awareness, expedient diagnostic procedures, and urgent surgical intervention as key elements in optimizing patient outcomes.

2023 WSES guidelines for the prevention, detection, and management of iatrogenic urinary tract injuries (IUTIs) during emergency digestive surgery

Iatrogenic urinary tract injury (IUTI) is a severe complication of emergency digestive surgery. It can lead to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality and have a long-term impact on the quality of life. The reported incidence of IUTIs varies greatly among the studies, ranging from 0.3 to 1.5%. Given the high volume of emergency digestive surgery performed worldwide, there is a need for well-defined and effective strategies to prevent and manage IUTIs. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding the prevention, detection, and management of IUTIs in the emergency setting. The present guidelines, promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), were developed following a systematic review of the literature and an international expert panel discussion. The primary aim of these WSES guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to support clinicians and surgeons in the prevention, detection, and management of IUTIs during emergency digestive surgery. The following key aspects were considered: (1) effectiveness of preventive interventions for IUTIs during emergency digestive surgery; (2) intra-operative detection of IUTIs and appropriate management strategies; (3) postoperative detection of IUTIs and appropriate management strategies and timing; and (4) effectiveness of antibiotic therapy (including type and duration) in case of IUTIs.

A review of open pelvic fractures with concurrent genitourinary injuries

INTRODUCTION

Open pelvic fractures (OPFs) are uncommon but potentially lethal traumatic injuries. Often caused by high energy blunt trauma, they can cause severe injury to abdominal and pelvic structures. We sought to conduct a review of the literature in order to ascertain the rates of genitourinary injury and vaginal laceration after OPF and the rates of resulting infection and mortality.

METHODS

A review of PubMed was conducted to identify studies reporting the rates of genitourinary injury from OPF. Study characteristics, patient characteristics, and outcomes were collected. The data were pooled, and descriptive statistics were obtained.

RESULTS

Eight studies encompassing 343 patients were included. Average age was 35.1 years (10-85.9), 28% were female, and the average Injury Severity Score was 26.5 (4-75). 95.5% of patients had a blunt mechanism of injury. Motor vehicle collision (23.9%), motorcycle accident (19.7%), and pedestrian struck (19.3%) were the most common etiologies. Overall mortality and infection rates were 31.2% and 18.7%, respectively. 19.7% of patients suffered an injury to the genitourinary system, and 32.4% of females sustained a vaginal laceration.

DISCUSSION

OPFs have the potential for extremely high morbidity and mortality. While much research has been done to prevent early mortality from hemorrhage, there is comparatively little research into late mortality stemming from infection and sepsis. Intravenous antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment, and local antibiotics usage has been encouraged. In patients with a vaginal laceration, it is important to provide antibiotic coverage for vaginal flora.

Bladder incarceration within a displaced pelvic ring nonunion

Pelvic ring injuries can be challenging to manage and may have a range of associated injuries. When bladder injuries occur in combination with pelvic ring fractures, a multidisciplinary approach may be required to plan the best course of treatment. Acute entrapment or injury to the urinary bladder after a pelvic fracture is well reported. Here, we present an interesting case of chronic bladder incarceration within a lateral compression pelvic ring injury nonunion after failed nonoperative management of the initial pelvis fracture. Treatment of the nonunion was complicated by an incidental diagnosis of lymphoma.

Non-Operative Management of Iatrogenic Intraperitoneal Bladder Injury Following a Cesarean Section

Iatrogenic bladder injuries with intraperitoneal extravasations are standardly managed surgically. However, we are presenting a case of iatrogenic intraperitoneal bladder injury developing after a cesarean section that was managed successfully by conservative therapy after tapping and pigtail drainage of 14 days. On the next follow up, which was 14 days later, there was a complete resolution with no signs of injury. Therefore, the trial of conservative approach may prove beneficial to minimize the chances of any invasive interventions in such cases.

Imaging spectrum of traumatic urinary bladder and urethral injuries

Urinary bladder and urethral injuries usually occur as part of multiple injuries in polytrauma patients. These injuries are easily overlooked because the initial evaluation is focused on other life-threatening injuries such as traumatic brain injury, hemopneumothorax or hemoperitoneum. Although the urinary bladder and urethral injuries are not life-threatening, they pose the risk of long-term morbidity which can be burdensome. These complications include urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, urethrocutaneous fistula, urethral stricture and erectile dysfunction. Computed tomography (CT) findings of urinary bladder and urethral injuries are usually subtle. Retrograde fluoroscopic/CT cystography and urethrography remain the mainstay imaging techniques for complete evaluation, diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of these traumatic injuries. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology and imaging spectrum of urinary bladder and urethral injuries with an emphasis on the classification schemes. Familiarity with the pelvic anatomy and the injury pattern leads to the prompt diagnosis, accurate classification and appropriate management, which have been associated with better prognosis.

Extraperitoneal Bladder Injuries Associated With Pelvic Fracture Requiring Internal Fixation: What Is the Evidence?

Traumatic bladder injuries are commonly associated with pelvic fractures. While the majority of intraperitoneal bladder injuries are surgically repaired, extraperitoneal bladder injuries (EBIs) can be managed nonoperatively in the absence of complex injury patterns such as bladder neck injury or presence of bone spicules in the bladder. Concern for pelvic hardware contamination is one of the most common reasons for repairing EBIs at the time of orthopedic interventions for pelvic fracture (usually open reduction and internal fixation). However, given the inconsistent and limited evidence, practice patterns are different and largely depend on surgeon preferences and institutional management. In this review, we explore the roots for this concern and summarize the current evidence on risk of pelvic hardware infection with nonoperative management of EBIs.

Complete Posterior Urethral Disruption Accompanied by Complex Pelvic Fractures: Clinical Outcomes of Fluoroscopic Primary Posterior Urethral Realignment

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of fluoroscopic primary posterior urethral realignment (PPUR) for complete posterior urethral disruption (PUD) accompanied by complex pelvic fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 15 male patients (median age, 58 years; range, 32-76 years) with traumatic PUD treated with fluoroscopic PPUR between 2016 and 2019 at a regional trauma center were retrospectively analyzed. The technical success (continuity of the ruptured urethra in PUD by Foley catheter placement) rate of fluoroscopic PPUR, trauma mechanism, concurrent embolization for pelvic arterial hemorrhage, time from the hospital visit to the start of the procedure, procedure time, Foley catheterization duration, and delayed complications were investigated.

RESULTS

Fluoroscopic PPUR was technically successful for 13 of 15 (87%) patients. Concurrent embolization for pelvic arterial hemorrhage was performed in 11 of 15 (73%) patients. The mean time between the hospital visit and procedure initiation was 181.6 minutes ± 83.2. The mean procedure time was 66.3 minutes ± 26.6. The mean Foley catheterization duration for 13 patients (technical success group) was 52.3 days ± 39.8 (median, 40 days; range, 21-177 days). Symptomatic urethral stricture developed in 9 of 13 (69.2%) patients after the procedure; 7 underwent visual internal urethrotomy, 4 required regular urethral dilatation, and 2 needed urethral stent insertion. Three of 13 (23%) patients did not have delayed complications during the 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

PPUR with fluoroscopic guidance appears safe and effective for achieving the continuity of the ruptured urethra in PUD. It enables PPUR without general anesthesia and the lithotomy position in patients with complex pelvic fractures.