Rupture of the male membranous urethra.

BACKGROUND

Management of traumatic rupture of the male membranous urethra remains controversial. Long-term morbidity can include urinary incontinence, urethral stricture and erectile dysfunction.

AIMS: To review management and outcome of urethral rupture to improve treatment protocols.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 47 patients presenting with traumatic urethral rupture over 25 years was performed.

RESULTS

All patients underwent emergency suprapubic catheterisation, 32 patients had open surgical realignment at 1-2 weeks; 78% of whom developed strictures. Ten patients unsuitable for early repair underwent delayed transabdominal transpubic urethroplasty at three months: 40% of whom developed strictures. Five patients with partial rupture were managed by cystoscopy and urethral catheter. Erectile dysfunction correlated to initial injury rather than treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

If the patient is stable and requires emergency laparotomy for other abdominal injuries, he should have immediate realignment of the urethra. Early realignment of the urethra at laparotomy at 1-2 weeks can be combined with orthopaedic fixation of pelvic fractures. Patients who remain unstable due to associated injuries should have delayed urethroplasty at three months.