Urogenital disorders after pelvic ring injuries

Abstract

Introduction: The close anatomical relationship between the skeletal and connective systems of the pelvis, neurological, and vascular structures and pelvic organs are predisposing factors for structural and functional damages of the urogenital system.

Materials and methods: We performed PUBMED and MEDLINE search using terms "pelvic ring trauma/disruption, bladder injury, urethral injury, sexual dysfunction".

Results: The probability of damage of the pelvic organs increases along with the degree of disturbance of integrity of the pelvic ring. The most important risk factor of urogenital injuries is the rupture of the symphyseal joint. Patients with lesions of the urogenital system have a higher risk of mortality compared with patients without lesions of the urogenital system. Sexual dysfunctions along with urinary incontinence are a common consequence of the pelvic fracture in men and women.

Conclusions: Injuries of the urogenital organs during pelvic ring fractures have an important negative prognostic value in terms of morbidity and quality of life. A prerequisite for a successful therapeutic outcome in case of pelvic fractures with disturbance of pelvic ring integrity is cooperation of orthopedists and urologists, with possible early diagnosis and treatment of injuries of the urogenital organs.

Keywords: bladder injury; pelvic ring rupture; pelvic trauma; urethral injury.