Objective: To compare the results of deferred urgent surgical treatment and delayed repair in post-traumatic complete urethral rupture.
Patients and method: Between 1986 and 2003, sixty patients were operated for complete rupture of the posterior urethra. In the absence of any serious visceral or skeletal lesions, 32 patients were operated within five to ten days (Group I). In 28 cases (Group II), patients were operated 8 months after the injury via a perineo-transsymphyseal approach.
Results: The mean age of these patients was 28 years (range: 18 to 53 years). With a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range: 2-14 years), the urine stream was considered to be satisfactory in 90% of patients of group I and in 100% of cases of group II. Continence was perfect in 91% of patients in the two groups. Erectile dysfunction was observed in 22% of cases of Group I versus 28.5% of cases of Group II.
Conclusion: Deferred urgent end-to-end urethral suture and delayed urethroplasty give globally comparable results. Deferred urgent end-to-end urethral suture must be performed whenever possible. The perineo-transsymphyseal approach must be reserved to the treatment of large stenoses in multi-operated or delayed repair patients.