Pelvic fracture injuries of the female urethra

Objective To review pelvic fracture urethral injuries in women, generally r egarded as rare and thus discussed infrequently, Patients and methods Twelve patients (age range 7-51 years) with such injur ies were reviewed; most had associated injuries, generally more severe than seen in males with urethral injuries. Results Patients with milder injuries, perhaps damaging just the innervatio n of the urethra, presented with incontinence; more severe injuries seemed to cause a longitudinal tear in the urethra but again patients presented ma inly with incontinence problems. The most severe injuries were associated w ith complete rupture of the urethra and a distraction defect suggesting an avulsion injury. These problems were difficult to treat both reconstructive ly and in providing continence. Conclusions Pelvic fracture urethral injuries occur in Females, but less of ten than in males. The female urethra seems relatively resistant to injury: differing degrees of severity of pelvic trauma cause different types of ur ethral injury but in general, a more severe injury is needed to damage it t han is necessary in males.