The epidemiology of trauma of the genitourinary system after traffic accidents: analysis of a register of over 43,000 victims.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the frequency and type of injury to the genitourinary system, by user category, after traffic accidents.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The register which forms the basis of this study is unique in Europe and includes 43,056 victims of road traffic accidents, and was compiled between 1996 and 2001. The categories of road users included: motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, van and bus users, and roller skaters. The urological complication rate was analysed for each category.

RESULTS

In all, 199 cases of trauma of the genitourinary system (0.46%) were recorded. The most frequent urological complications were renal (43%) and testicular trauma (24%), the former most frequent in motorists (65%) and pedestrians (29%), and the latter in motorcyclists (41%).

CONCLUSIONS

An analysis of this register provides better knowledge of the urogenital injuries after traffic accidents. Renal and testicular injuries are the most frequent.