title: EAU Guidelines on Urethral Trauma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  These guidelines were prepared on behalf of the European Association of Urology (EAU) to assist urologists in the management of traumatic urethral injuries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimal evaluation and management of urethral injuries by review of the world's literature on the subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  A working group of experts on Urological Trauma was convened to review and summarize the literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary trauma, including urethral trauma. The Urological Trauma guidelines have been based on a review of the literature identified using on-line searches of MEDLINE and other source documents published before 2009. A critical assessment of the findings was made, not involving a formal appraisal of the data. There were few high-powered, randomized, controlled trials in this area and considerable available data was provided by retrospective studies. The Working Group recognizes this limitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The full text of these guidelines is available through the EAU Central Office and the EAU website (www.uroweb.org). This article comprises the abridged version of a section of the Urological Trauma guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Updated and critically reviewed Guidelines on Urethral Trauma are presented. The aim of these guidelines is to provide support to the practicing urologist since urethral injuries carry substantial morbidity. The diversity of urethral injuries, associated injuries, the timing and availability of treatment options as well as their relative rarity contribute to the controversies in the management of urethral trauma.
authors.affiliation: Urology Unit, Infanta Sofía Hospital, Madrid, Spain. martinez-pineiro@telefonica.net
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martínez-Piñeiro
authors.forename: Nenad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Djakovic
authors.forename: Eugen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plas
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Santucci
authors.forename: Efraim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serafetinidis
authors.forename: Levent N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Turkeri
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hohenfellner
mesh_terms: D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D014521:Urethra / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy