Reconstructive surgery for trauma of the lower urinary tract

Blunt external trauma is the most common cause of injuries of the lower uri nary tract. Minor injuries often heal uneventfully with catheter drainage. Penetrating traumas are best treated with primary repair. Delayed reconstru ction of urethral disruption injuries is safe and effective in the majority of cases, but immediate realignment is an attractive, minimally invasive a lternative. Pelvic MR imaging and urethral ultrasound are important ancilla ry staging studies for evaluating patients who require complex urethral rec onstruction.