An overview of urethral injury

Abstract

Posterior urethral injuries in the setting of pelvic fracture can be challenging cases to manage in the acute setting, with challenging clinical decision-making in potentially unstable patients with significant comorbid injuries. These patients’ subsequent risk of complications, regardless of immediate treatment decisions, can be devastating and they require close attention and followup. Given that long-term outcomes with respect to urethral patency remain acceptable in the hands of those experienced in managing posterior urethral injury, these practitioners should be sought out for patient care assistance when they are not available in the acute setting.