Pelvic fracture-related bladder injury: Characteristics and literature review

Abstract

In a traumatic pelvic fracture, the forces of the trauma or pieces of the broken pelvic bones can lacerate or tear the urinary system. This type of trauma can range in its severity and some injuries can require immediate or delayed urinary reconstruction. In addition to direct trauma to the lower urinary system (bladder, prostate and urethra), pelvic trauma can disrupt nerves to the bladder and penis and lead to urinary problems like leakage and erectile dysfunction. Bladder rupture is rare and is often associated with other serious injuries and a high mortality rate. The bladder can also be torn or burst during a pelvic fracture. If these tears are large or urine spills into the abdomen around the intestine, they have to be fixed surgically.