Etiology, Patterns and Short-Term Outcomes of Lower Urinary Tract Trauma in Male Patients Admitted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Trauma is a major public health challenge in Africa. This study was conducted to establish the etiology, patterns and short-term outcomes of patients with lower urinary tract trauma in males admitted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Methods: This was a hospital based prospective cohort study done on participants with lower urinary tract trauma admitted at MRRH for a period of eight months from August 2023 to April 2024. A total of 38 male participants were consecutively selected and enrolled into the study. The overall median age was 25, interquartile range (5-37) years. Results: A total of 50 lower urinary tract injuries were recorded. The urethra was the most injured organ at 70% (35/50). Motor vehicle crash was the most common cause seen in 52% (26/50). The urethral complete tear was the most common pattern of urethral injury seen in 62.9% (22/35) while bladder contusion was the most common bladder injury pattern at 60% (9/15). The anterior urethra was the most injured part at 60.0% (21/35). Overall, complications were seen in 57.9% of the participants (22/38) with urethral bleeding being the most common seen in 36.8 % (14/38) of the participants. Most patients stayed in the hospital for longer than one week 65.8% (25/38). Mortality was seen in 5.3% (2/38). Conclusion: Motor vehicle crash is the commonest cause of lower urinary tract trauma. Among pediatric population, circumcision was the commonest cause of urethra injury, hence laws should be put in place for pediatric circumcision to be done by a qualified health personnel.