[Bladder rupture after minor trauma]

Abstract

Rupture of the urinary bladder is a rare injury most often encountered after severe trauma and in conjunction with injuries to other organ systems. It may occur, however, without concomitant injury and also after minimal trauma. This diagnosis must be suspected in a patient with abdominal pain who is unable to void or who presents hematuria. The diagnosis is made by means of a retrograde cystogram using 350-400 ml contrast medium and supplemented by a drainage film. Intraperitoneal ruptures should be treated surgically by closure in layers, and drainage. Patients with extraperitoneal ruptures can safely be treated with simple catheter drainage until the rupture has healed, usually within 10-20 days. We report three cases of bladder rupture after minimal trauma and describe the state of the art of diagnosis and treatment of these injuries.