A contemporary review of adult bladder trauma

Injuries to the bladder are infrequent and commonly result from blunt, penetrating, or iatrogenic trauma. Bladder injuries may be missed as they often present concomitantly with other abdominal and pelvic injuries; however, early detection and treatment are essential as morbidity and mortality may be significant. Gross hematuria, especially in the setting of pelvic fractures, may be indicative of a bladder injury which can be confirmed with cystography. Extraperitoneal injuries are commonly managed conservatively with catheter drainage while intraperitoneal ruptures traditionally required surgical exploration and closure. Presented is a contemporary review which encapsulates the etiology, presentation, assessment, and management of bladder injuries.