Non-operative treatment of the ruptured bladder.

Open surgical drainage is not necessary in all patients with bladder rupture. Two patients with an extraperitoneal rupture and 1 with an intraperitoneal rupture were successfully managed with urethral catheter drainage only. Our rationale and specific criteria for this treatment are presented. We believe that in selected patients urethral catheter drainage is a safe, simple and effective method of treating the ruptured bladder.