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Urethral Trauma

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Urological Emergencies

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Urology ((CCU))

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Abstract

Traumatic urethral injuries are most frequently a result of blunt trauma. Anterior urethral injures typically result from straddle-type injuries or penile fractures, while posterior urethral injuries are nearly always associated with pelvic fractures. A urethral injury is suggested by mechanism of injury or blood per urethra, and the diagnosis is confirmed by retrograde urethrography.

Acute management in both anterior and posterior urethral injuries centers on securing adequate drainage of the bladder. This may be achieved with a urethral catheter alone in partial urethral injuries; however, complete urethral disruptions require suprapubic cystostomy. Anterior urethral lacerations may be best repaired acutely in some circumstances, although this is almost never the case with posterior urethral injuries. Primary urethral realignment over a catheter may be a reasonable option if heroic efforts are not necessary, but this alone rarely prevents urethral stenosis. Stricture or stenosis of the urethra may result from the traumatic injury, and this is best treated in a delayed fashion after the full extent of the injury is known and other associated injuries have been treated.

From: Urological Emergencies: A Practical Guide. Edited by: H. Wessells and J.W. McAninch © Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Daniel Dugi III

  2. Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Moss Building, 8th Floor, Suite 112, Dallas, TX, 75390-9110, USA

    Allen F. Morey

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  1. Daniel Dugi III
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  2. Allen F. Morey
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Correspondence to Allen F. Morey .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street Box 356510, Seattle, 98195, Washington, USA

    Hunter Wessells

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Dugi, D., Morey, A.F. (2013). Urethral Trauma. In: Wessells, H. (eds) Urological Emergencies. Current Clinical Urology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-423-4_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-423-4_6

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-422-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-423-4

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