Urogenital tract trauma in Port Harcourt

A retrospective study of urogenital tract injuries treated in the Urology Unit of Port Harcourt University Teaching Hospital from January 1985 to December 1994 was done. There were 67 injuries in 62 patients. Fifty-five (82%) of these were blunt injuries. Males were more frequently injured (85%) than females. Patients younger than 60 years sustained 61 of the 67 injuries (91%) with peak incidence in the age groups 0-10 years (22%) and 21-30 years (28%). The urethra was the most frequently injured structure (49%) followed by the bladder (24%). The anatomically secured kidney and ureter as well as the fairly mobile penis and scrotum were much less frequently injured. The commonest aetiological factor was road traffic accident (57%). There were ten injuries (15%) resulting from industrial activities. Eight injuries (12%) were iatrogenic. Treatment was successful in 52 injuries (78%). It was satisfactory in the few urethral injuries that required repeated dilations. Four injuries (6%) resulted in permanent disability. There were two deaths (2%) both from iatrogenic causes involving an ureteric injury at hysterectomy and haemorrhage from cultural circumcision in the village. Prevention is the most effective way to avoid these injuries.