Catheter-Related Urethral Injuries in Male Children
Urethral trauma in pediatric patients is a significant yet often overlooked concern in urological care. Although urethral injuries account for a small percentage of overall pediatric trauma cases, they can lead to long-term complications if not managed properly. Up to 25% of hospitalized patients undergo routine urethral catheterization, and while the incidence of iatrogenic urethral trauma is approximately 0.3%, its impact is substantial. Traumatic urethral catheterization can lead to acute complications such as urinary retention, bleeding, and urosepsis, as well as long-term risks like urethral stricture disease, requiring frequent dilation or reconstructive procedures.