Traumatic rupture of the urinary bladder: is the suprapubic tube necessary?
BACKGROUND
Although surgical principles are well accepted for the treatment of an intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal rupture of the urinary bladder, the type and number of drainage catheters needed to obtain a satisfactory outcome with minimal patient morbidity have yet to be determined.


METHODS
This was a retrospective review of data on injured patients with the diagnosis of an intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal rupture of the urinary bladder from penetrating or blunt trauma.


RESULTS
Of the 51 patients identified, 28 were treated with suprapubic and transurethral catheters, whereas 23 received a transurethral catheter only. Complications and catheter duration times were similar regardless of type of bladder injury or drainage catheter used (p > 0.5).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that there are similar outcomes and complication rates for patients treated with suprapubic and transurethral catheters versus transurethral catheter only. Transurethral catheters alone seem effective in draining all types of bladder injuries.
Parry
Neil G
NG
Department of Surgery, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA.
Rozycki
Grace S
GS
Feliciano
David V
DV
Tremblay
Lorraine N
LN
Cava
Raymond A
RA
Voeltz
Zachery
Z
Carney
Jeffrey
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003559:Cystostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D014193:Trauma Centers; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000293:injuries*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*