Genitourinary tract trauma and reconstruction

Injuries to the genitourinary tract (kidneys, bladder, external genitals) can occur after a variety of circumstances. The most common injuries result from blunt trauma, as in a motor vehicle accident. The kidney is the most commonly injured organ of the urinary tract. A common sign of a significant urinary tract injury is the presence of blood in the urine. Other causes of urinary tract injury include gunshot wounds, industrial accidents, stab wounds, surgical complications and infections. While not all injuries require surgical intervention or correction, many will mandate a preliminary evaluation to determine their full extent.

The field of urologic reconstructive surgery involves the application of modern surgical techniques to correct a urinary tract deformity caused by injury or congenital defect. As stated injuries to the urinary organs can occur from a variety of circumstances. The key to their treatment is prompt recognition. Examples of urologic injuries which may require surgical correction include: lacerations to the kidney or bladder, ureteral injuries, penile or urethral injuries, urethral strictures, testicular injuries and urinary fistula.

Congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract occur at the time of development or shortly after birth. Most are recognized at a very young age, and corrected. In a few circumstances these problems persist into adult-hood and cause problems as we get older. In these patients, urologic intervention is undertaken if symptoms such as pain occur, or if there is a problem with either the production or elimination of urine. Examples of congenital abnormalities in adults that may require reconstructive surgery include: uretero-pelvic junction obstruction, ureteral obstruction, and penile hypospadias.

The urologic trauma and reconstructive service of the Wayne State University Department of Urology evaluates and treats a large number of patients on a regular basis. Please contact us for more information.