Successful Conservative Treatment of Traumatic Intraperitoneal Bladder Rupture in a Child: A Case Report

Abstract

The urinary bladder is protected by the pelvic bones and hence is a site less susceptible to external force injury than other organs. As children’s bones are not fully developed, the risk of bladder injury by external force is greater in children than adults. Pelvic fractures often cause the bladder to rupture, as do strong external forces when the bladder is filled. Bladder rupture is categorized as extraperitoneal or intraperitoneal, and treatments differ between the two. Extraperitoneal injury usually heals after drainage alone, whereas intraperitoneal injury usually requires surgical intervention such as a combination of surgical repairs and drainage. Herein, we report a pediatric case of intraperitoneal bladder rupture successfully treated without surgical repair (i.e., with drainage via an intraperitoneal tube and a urethral catheter only). Our report suggests that nonoperative treatment is an option for pediatric patients with intraperitoneal bladder rupture if certain conditions are met.