[Bladder injuries due to abdominal trauma in patients treated at the Central Hospital of the Mexican Red Cross].

Background: Abdominal traumas involving the urinary tract represent 10% and, of these, 25% are for bladder trauma. Type of injury depends on the mechanism of action, whether blunt or penetrating. Symptoms include hypogastric hypersensitivity and inability to urinate. The most important sign is hematuria.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study and descriptive analysis of patients with bladder injury, excluding iatrogenic injury.

Results: There were 46 cases of bladder injury comprising 35 men (76%) and 11 women (24%). Mean age was 29 years. Mechanism of injury was closed contusion (63%) and penetrating wound (37%). Diagnosis was established in 74% of cases by exploratory laparotomy and in 26% of cases by cystography. Treatment was in accordance with intra- or extraperitoneal status, and there were no reported complications.

Conclusions: Patients with traumatic injuries are often young and male, in relation to patients with iatrogenic damage. Closed abdominal trauma is prevalent with penetration. Gross hematuria is the most consistent symptom. Incidence of bladder injury associated with pelvic fracture was low. Exploratory laparotomy was the primary diagnostic method, with cystography done in a limited number of patients. There were no complications.