Treatment of complete rupture of the posterior urethra by endoscopic realignment.

Objective : To assess the efficacy and benefit of treatment of complete rup ture of the posterior urethra by endoscopic realignment. Material and Methods : Between 1991 and June 1998, 14 men were hospitalised for complete traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra : 13 of them were treated by endoscopic realignment. Results : With a mean follow-up of 29 months, all patients are continent an d urinate with a satisfactory urinary stream. Two patients developed an ure thral stricture and three others developed two urethral strictures treated by internal urethrotomy (38.4%). Three patients are impotent, one following embolization of both hypogastric arteries (23%). Conclusion : Endoscopic realignment of complete rupture of the posterior ur ethra is a simple, minimally invasive technique allowing optimal preservati on of continence and erection in these young patients. It may induce urethr al strictires which can be effectively treated endoscopically and which can be prevented by systematic use of self-calibration of the urethra.