RETROPERITONEAL BLADDER RUPTURE IN A CONT EXT OF PELVIC FRACTURE - REPORT OF 3 CASES

Three different approaches to the diagnostic and therapeutic managemen t of bladder trauma were adopted in 3 patients. Haematuria was discove red on bladder catheterization. Emergency cystography remains the best diagnostic examination. CT has the same limitations as intravenous ur ography. There are two schools of thought concerning the treatment of the bladder lesion : surgical repair and healing by simple drainage, T he indications depend on the size of the rupture and the severity of h aematuria : intravesical clots and the need for continuous irrigation constitute contraindications to simple drainage. Emergency surgery mus t be combined with treatment of the bone lesions. Apart from external fixation, posterior osteosynthesis, when possible, is also indicated i n unstable fractures.