Imaging Findings Associated with Failure of Conservative Management after Blunt Extraperitoneal Bladder Injury.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify risk factors for failure of conservative management (CM) for uncomplicated extraperitoneal bladder injuries (EBI).

Methods: The trauma registry at a single Level 1 trauma center was queried for patients presenting with a blunt EBI between 2004 and 2022. Patients with CM and follow-up through at least one postoperative cystogram or catheter removal were included. A univariable analysis for associations with a composite outcome of either persistent leakage or delayed cystorrhaphy was completed.

Results: Eighty-four patients with an EBI underwent CM. Seventy-eight (93%) patients had an associated pelvic fracture and 17 of 84 (20%) underwent embolization for pelvic hemorrhage. Thirty-four (41%) patients also had delayed phase imaging, 17 (20%) of whom had extravasation from their bladder on delays. Six (7%) patients failed initial CM. There was no association between the composite outcome and pelvic fracture (p=0.35) or embolization (p=0.41). American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade 5 injuries (p=0.01) and the presence of extravasation on delayed-phase Computed Tomography (p=0.03) were associated with the composite outcome.

Conclusions: Contrast extravasation on initial delayed-phase imaging despite urethral catheter drainage and AAST injury grade were associated with failed CM after EBI. This may reflect injuries that mechanistically yield incomplete antegrade drainage with CM.