title: Disrupting injuries of the membranous urethra--the case for early surgery and catheter splinting.
abstract: We reviewed the outcome following primary definitive repair by catheter splinting in 16 patients presenting with total posterior urethral disruption following pelvic injury. There were two deaths in the early post-operative period due to pulmonary embolism associated with other serious injuries. Five patients were judged to have a significant stricture at the site of injury, but all proved amenable to management with endoscopic treatment or periodic dilatation. None required a urethroplasty. The two cases with stress incontinence were related to concomitant injury of the bladder neck. Impotence persisted in 2 or 5 patients followed for longer than 12 months. Complications from catheter traction were not seen using the system of light interrupted traction described. A case is made for primary management by catheter splinting of such urethral injuries.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014521:Urethra / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014546:Urinary Catheterization