Classification of Blunt Urethral Trauma

Blunt urethral trauma can be classified into five types:

• Type I: Intact but stretched posterior urethra (Colapinto and McCallum type I).
• Type II: Tear of the membranous urethra above the urogenital diaphragm (Colapinto and McCallum type II). On urethrography, contrast material extravasates into the pelvic extraperitoneal space.
• Type III: Most common type. Combined anterior and posterior urethral injury with disruption of the urogenital diaphragm (Colapinto and McCallum type III). On urethrography, contrast material extravasates into the perineum with or without extension into the pelvic extraperitoneal space..
• Type IV: Bladder neck injury extending to the urethra. Injury of the base of the bladder with periurethral extravasation may simulate a type IV injury and is classified as type IVA.
• Type V: Partial or complete pure anterior urethral injury. Associated with perineal crush or straddle injuries.

References

Goldman SM, Sandler CM, Corriere JN Jr, McGuire EJ. Blunt urethral trauma: a unified, anatomical mechanical classification. J Urol. 1997 Jan;157(1):85-9.