What are urogenital traumas?

A trauma is an injury caused to an organ or tissue due to external actions or causes. Urogenital injuries refer to injuries caused in the genital and/or urinary tract. In this case, the organ that is most commonly damaged is the kidney, followed by the bladder, the urethra, the testicles, penis.

What are the causes of urogenital trauma?

There are two types of urogenital traumas, blunt and penetrating. Blunt trauma is more common; caused by falls, sport, domestic, traffic and workplace accidents. Penetrating trauma is rare in the UK, caused by stab or gunshot wounds.

Prognosis of the disease

Most urogenital traumas do not represent an immediate threat to life. Some injuries are internal and may not show external signs, resulting in missed or delayed diagnosis.

Symptoms of urogenital trauma

The symptoms of urogenital trauma can vary depending on the affected organs and tissues, but some of the most common symptoms are:

• Flank, abdominal or testicular pain
• Bleeding when urinating (haematuria) or blood dripping from the male urethra
• Abdominal distension
• Visible bruising and swelling of the external genitalia

Medical tests for urogenital traumas

When a patient is admitted to the emergency department due to an accident, fall or severe damage, an emergency valuation of their health status is made, identifying those pathologies that represent an urgent risk to their health. As this valuation continues, the diagnosis of urogenital trauma can be addressed.

Imaging is most effective for detecting urogenital trauma, since it is usually necessary to explore the internal structures of the organism. Therefore, the most common tests used are the abdominal/pelvic CT and genital ultrasound examinations. The choice of diagnostic tests will also depend on the type of trauma, symptoms will suggest which organs and tissues may be injured.

Can urogenital traumas be prevented?

The only way to prevent urogenital traumas is to avoid the cause where possible. Taking precautions such as wearing a seatbelt when driving or using protective sportswear when playing contact sports may help avoid trauma.

Treatments for urogenital traumas

The treatment for urogenital traumas will be considered depending on the affected organs and tissues, some of the most common are:

• Renal (kidney) trauma: In many cases it can be resolved by conservative treatment (observation). This involves bed rest and a bladder catheter if necessary to drain the haematuria. In severe cases surgery may be necessary, such as the removal of the kidney or part of it;
• Bladder trauma: The bladder is kept drained with a catheter and often heals itself. In more severe cases an operation is required to stitch the bladder closed;
• Urethral trauma: In cases where it affects or there is damage of the urethra, it should be treated as soon as possible. Usually, surgery will be necessary, although in cases that are not too severe it may heal itself with catheterisation of the bladder;
• Testicular and penile trauma: Conservative or surgical options would need to be considered.

What specialist treats urogenital traumas?

A urologist is usually the specialist who treats urogenital traumas.