Determination of Risk Factors for Predicting Bladder-Urethra Injury in Cases of Pelvic Bone Fracture: A Retrospective Single Center Study

Abstract

Purpose: Pelvis fractures are associated with bladder and urethral injury (BUI). The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with BUI in patients with pelvic fracture.Methods: Patients (> 18 years) with pelvic injury (<i>N</i> = 314) at our hospital between January 2015 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed for age, sex, cause of injury, initial vital signs, urine red blood cell (RBC) count, Glasgow Coma Scale and Abbreviated Injury Scale score, Injury Severity Score, preperitoneal pelvic packing, and femur, lumbar spine, and pelvic fractures.Results: Compared with the BUI-absent group, the BUI-present group had a greater percentage of patients who were male (79.2% vs. 55.9%; <i>p</i> = 0.026), had a urine RBC count/high power field (HPF) ≥ 30 (94.4% vs. 38.8%; <i>p</i> < 0.001), underwent preperitoneal pelvic packing (37.5% vs. 18.6%; <i>p</i> = 0.035), had symphysis pubis diastasis (33.3% vs. 11.7%; <i>p</i> = 0.008), and had sacroiliac joint dislocation (54.2% vs. 23.4%; <i>p</i> = 0.001). Independent risk factors associated with BUI were symphysis pubis diastasis [odds ratio (OR) was 3.958 (95% confidence interval: 1.191–13.154); <i>p</i> = 0.025] and a urine RBC count/HPF ≥ 30 [OR = 25.415 (95% confidence interval: 3.252–198.637); <i>p</i> = 0.006]. Of those with BUI, 15 patients were diagnosed at the trauma bay, and 9 had a delayed diagnosis.Conclusion: Patients with pelvic injury who display symphysis pubis diastasis or have a urine RBC count/ HPF ≥ 30 are at higher risk of BUI, therefore, further BUI investigations should be considered.