Trauma and Urogenital Reconstructive Surgery

Urethral Injuries

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Management and treatment of urethral injuries can be complex and depends on a number of factors, including:

• Severity and location of injury
• Patient's health
• Whether any other injuries are present

In some cases, emergency surgical repair is recommended, but should be limited to select cases. As a general rule, initial suprapubic cystostomy, which involves placing a catheter in the bladder through the lower abdomen, is the safest and simplest option. Once the urethra has begun to heal, your doctor will reassess your injury and develop a definitive treatment plan. Reconstructive surgery or the placement of a urethral or suprapubic catheter, which is a tube inserted into the bladder to help drain urine, may be recommended. At UCSF Medical Center, patients who undergo reconstructive surgery have a high success rate for urethral function and cosmetic appearance.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007