RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the injury mechanism of pelvic bone fracture and injury type and treatment of bladder rupture associated with pelvic bone fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2002 to February 2011, we treated pelvic bone fracture with bladder rupture in 56 cases with minimal follow up of one year. Each of the 56 cases was classified into groups depending on the mechanism of pelvic fracture (Young classification) and the aspect of bladder rupture (intraperitoneal rupture, extraperitoneal rupture, combined rupture) after which the relationship between the two aspects was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were a total of 56 cases where bladder ruptures occurred in association with pelvic bone fractures; 34 patients were men and 22 patients were women. The average age was 58.2 years (range: 19-84). Traffic accidents were the main cause of pelvic bone fractures with bladder ruptures in 41 cases. The main injury mechanism was lateral compression, and pubic ramus fractures occurred in 38 cases (67.9%). Regarding the classifications of bladder ruptures, there were 17 cases of intraperitoneal rupture, 37 cases of extraperitoneal rupture, and two cases of combined rupture. Operations were performed on all cases of intraperitoneal and combined rupture and on six cases of extraperitoneal rupture. CONCLUSION: Lateral compression was the most common injury of bladder rupture in pelvic bone fracture. Bladder ruptures occurred even in cases where the displacement of pelvic bones was not severe and also in cases of low energy injury.