IMPOTENCE AND INCONTINENCE AFTER IMMEDIATE REALIGNMENT OF POSTERIOR URETHRAL TRAUMA - RESULT OF INJURY OR MANAGEMENT

Purpose: We examined further whether the injury or method of managemen t is responsible for impotence and incontinence after immediate realig nment of prostate-membranous urethral disruptions. Materials and Metho ds: A total of 20 patients with complete urethral disruptions treated with immediate realignment (group 1) was compared to 12 with partial o r complete injuries treated with retrograde catheterization alone (gro up 2). Followup status was obtained by patient questionnaire or teleph one interview. Results: Of the patients 83% in group 1 and 80% in grou p 2 are continent, and 76% and 70%, respectively, regained erections s uitable for sexual, intercourse. Conclusions: The results suggest that impotence and incontinence in this setting are the result of the inju ry and not of attempts at immediate surgical management.