An uncommon and easily overlooked case: Delayed intraperitoneal bladder rupture following blunt trauma: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed intraperitoneal bladder rupture is a rare clinical occurrence, frequently overlooked and misdiagnosed due to its nonspecific clinical manifestations. However, literature provides only a limited number of cases reporting delayed intraperitoneal bladder rupture resulting from blunt abdominal injury. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 72-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and experienced sudden, severe abdominal pain on the 8th day following the injury. Abdominal B-ultrasound revealed a significant accumulation of peritoneal effusion. The abdominal puncture retrieved serosanguinous ascites. Then the patient was promptly transferred to our hospital. Upon transfer, the physical examination revealed the patient vital signs to be stable, accompanied by mild abdominal distension, slight tenderness, tension, and an absence of rebound tenderness. Urinalysis detected microscopic hematuria, while contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed considerable fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, without evidence of solid organ damage, and the bladder was adequately filled. DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis of delayed intraperitoneal bladder rupture primarily relied on intraoperative observations. INTERVENTIONS: An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed, revealing a linear rupture at the dome of the bladder. Subsequently, the bladder rupture was repaired. OUTCOMES: Postoperative cystography demonstrated full recovery and the patient was discharged 28 days post-surgery. The postoperative recovery was uneventful without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: A well-distended bladder observed in CT does not definitively rule out the potential for bladder injury. False negatives may occur due to incomplete bladder filling during CT cystography. Retrograde cystography can identify cases missed by CT cystography. In cases of substantial intra-abdominal free fluid, surgical intervention should be actively considered for patients with blunt abdominal trauma without concurrent solid organ damage.

Delayed Presentation of Bowel Injury Associated with Pelvic Fragility Fracture in Patient with Bladder Sling: A Case Report.

CASE: An 85-year-old woman with a history of bladder mesh sling placement sustained a pelvic fracture and extraperitoneal bladder rupture after a ground-level fall. The patient underwent cystorrhaphy and percutaneous anterior column screw placement. Free air was identified on abdominal computed tomography scan on postoperative day 5. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a sigmoid colon perforation and extensive bowel adhesions to the anterior pelvis. CONCLUSION: This is the first report describing bowel injury and associated bladder rupture in a pelvic fragility fracture related to a prior bladder mesh sling. This case highlights the importance of obtaining a thorough surgical history when treating pelvic injuries.

Bladder Repair With Irrigation and Debridement and Open Reduction Internal Fixation of the Anterior Pelvic Ring Is Safe and Decreases Risk of Infection in Pelvic Ring Injuries With Extraperitoneal Bladder Ruptures.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of infection in nonoperative versus operative management of extraperitoneal bladder ruptures in patients with pelvic ring injuries. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of 2 prospectively collected trauma registries. SETTING: Two Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients with operative pelvic ring injuries, 68 (6%) had extraperitoneal bladder ruptures. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: The primary outcome was the incidence and associated risk factors of deep pelvic infection requiring return to OR for surgical debridement. Secondary outcomes included quality of reduction, other complications, and radiographic union. Comparisons were made based on the status of any associated bladder injury. RESULTS: Of 1127 patients with operative pelvic ring injuries, 68 patients had extraperitoneal bladder ruptures, 55 had bladder repair and 13 did not. Of those 13 without repair, none had ORIF of the anterior pelvic ring. Patients without bladder repair had an increased odds of infection 17-fold compared to patients who did have a repair performed (OR 16.9, 95% CI 1.75 - 164, P = 0.01). Other associated factors for deep pelvic infection included use of suprapubic catheter ( p < 0.02) and a closed reduction of the anterior ring ( p < 0.01). Patients undergoing anterior ring ORIF and bladder repair had improved reductions and no increased infection risk. CONCLUSIONS: Operative repair of extraperitoneal bladder ruptures decreases risk of infection in patients with pelvic ring injuries. Additionally, ORIF of the anterior pelvic ring does not increase the risk of infection and results in better reductions compared to closed reduction. Treatment algorithms for these combined injuries should consider recommending early bladder repair and anterior pelvic ORIF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Does Anterior Plating of Pelvic Ring Fractures Increase Infection Risk in Patients With Bladder or Urethral Injuries?

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the effect of anterior fixation on infection in patients with operative pelvic fractures and bladder or urethral injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Eight centers. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Adult patients with closed pelvic fractures with associated bladder or urethral injuries treated with anterior plating (AP), intramedullary screw (IS), or no anterior internal fixation (NAIF, including external fixation or no fixation). OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Deep infection. RESULTS: There were 81 extraperitoneal injuries and 57 urethral injuries. There was no difference in infection between fixation groups across all urologic injuries (AP: 10.8%, IS: 0%, NAIF: 4.9%, P = 0.41). There was a higher rate of infection in the urethral injury group compared with extraperitoneal injuries (14.0% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.016). Among extraperitoneal injuries, specifically, there was no difference in deep infection related to fixation (AP: 2.6%, IS 0%, NAIF: 2.9%, P = 0.99). Among urethral injuries, there was no statistical difference in deep infection related to fixation (AP: 23.1%, IS: 0%, NAIF: 7.4%, P = 0.21). There was a higher rate of suprapubic catheter (SPC) use in urethral injuries compared with extraperitoneal injuries (57.9% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.0001). In the urethral injury group, SPC use did not have a statistically significant difference in infection rate (SPC: 18.2% vs. No SPC: 8.3%, P = 0.45). Early removal of the SPC before or during the definitive orthopaedic intervention did not significantly affect infection rate (early: 0% vs. delayed: 25.0%, P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should approach operative pelvic fractures with associated urologic injuries with caution given the high risk of infection. Further work must be done to elucidate the effect of anterior implants and SPC use and duration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Unrecognised entrapment of a herniated bladder at the pubic symphysis following reduction and external fixation of an unstable pelvic fracture.

Bladder injury is frequently associated with complex pelvic fractures with men being the predominant population to sustain such injuries. Entrapment of the bladder through the site of pelvic fracture is a rare clinical entity. We report a case of an entrapped bladder post closed reduction and external fixation of an unstable anteroposterior compression type 3 (APC-3) fracture. This report highlights the diagnostic difficulty with identifying an entrapped bladder and the patient's functional outcome after 1 year of follow-up.

Utilising anterolateral bladder flap to create a continent cutaneous diversion in a patient with pelvic fracture urethral injury.

A male child in the first decade of life presented to us with a history of a pelvic fracture and urethral injury resulting from a road traffic accident 4 months prior. He had previously undergone an exploratory laparotomy and suprapubic cystostomy at another medical centre. He was circumcised and exhibited a substantial urethral defect on the retrograde urethrogram, as well as on the micturating cystourethrogram. Following a careful assessment of the patient's and caregivers' expectations, a continent cutaneous catheterisable channel was planned. This procedure involved the use of an anterolateral bladder flap, and continence was achieved through the creation of a Nissen-type seromuscular invagination. Three months postoperatively, the child remains continent, can easily catheterise the stoma and has resumed his education.

Intrauterine device migration into the bladder leading to stones formation.

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a popular method of contraception mainly used in developing countries. Perforation is one of the most serious but a rare complication secondary to the insertion of an IUD, while perforation into the intravesical organs such as the bladder is even more rare. A 30-year-old multipara in early 30s, with two previous caesarean sections (CS) and one curettage, was found to have her IUD puncturing the bladder during a cystoscopy procedure to remove her bladder stones. Transvesical migration of an IUD is an uncommon complication with a high rate of calculi formation, which is thought to be caused by the IUD's lithogenic potential. Imaging approaches such as ultrasound and pelvic X-rays are considered imperative in the accurate diagnosis. Any migrated IUD should be removed regardless of location. Prompt and continual monitoring of women using an IUD is essential and in a case where the IUD has migrated, the removal using the endoscopic approach is a safe and effective method.

Iatrogenic bladder injury following gynecologic and obstetric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic bladder injury is a rare complication following obstetric and gynecologic surgery and only sparse information is available regarding length of transurethral catheterization following injuries, suturing techniques including choice of suture, and complications. The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate length of transurethral catheterization in relation to complications following iatrogenic bladder injury. Second, we aimed to evaluate the number of complications following repair of iatrogenic bladder injuries and to describe suture technique and best choice of suture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, and the results were presented in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Medline electronic databases were searched, and followed by screening from two independent reviewers. Studies published between January 2000 and March 2023 describing methods of bladder injury repair following obstetric or gynecologic benign surgery were included. Data extraction was done using Covidence. We performed a meta-analysis on complications after repair and explored this with a meta-regression analysis (Metafor package R) on length of catheterization to determine if length of catheterization influenced the risk of complication. A risk of bias tool from Cochrane was used to assess risk of bias and the study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021290586). RESULTS: Out of 2175 articles, we included 21 retrospective studies, four prospective studies, and one case-control study. In total, 595 bladder injuries were included. Cesarean section was the most prominent surgery type, followed by laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. We found no statistically significant association between length of transurethral catheterization and numbers of complications following repair of iatrogenic bladder injuries. More than 90% of injuries were recognized intraoperatively. Approximately 1% had complications following iatrogenic bladder injury repair (0.010, 95% confidence interval 0.0015-0.0189, 26 studies, 595 participants, I2 = 4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our review did not identify conclusive evidence on the length of postoperative catheterization following bladder injury warranting further research. However, the rate of complications was low following iatrogenic bladder injury with a wide range of repair approaches.

An unusual presentation of penetrating bladder injury with vesicocutaneous fistula: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Blunt trauma to the urinary bladder is common with penetrating injury being a rare occasion. Most common entry pint for penetrating injuries includes buttock, abdomen and perineum with thigh being rare. There are a number of complications that may develop as a result of penetrating injury with vesicocutanous fistula being a rare occurrence that usually presents with typical sign and symptoms. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of penetrating bladder injury through medial upper thigh as an entry point that had complicated into vesicocutaneous fistula with atypical presentation of long-standing pus discharge that had been managed by incision and drainage several times with no success. MRI demonstrated a presence of fistula tract and a foreign body (piece of wood) in-situ confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Fistulas are a rare complication of bladder injuries and can cause negative impact on the quality of life of patients. Delayed urinary tract fistulations and secondary thigh abscesses are uncommon therefore a high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis. This case emphasizes the importance of radiological tests in aiding the diagnosis and ultimately proper management.

Complete perforated bladder from intrauterine devices: A case series report from a nationwide monitoring system.

AIM: Complete perforation of the bladder caused by an intrauterine device (IUD) is rare. This study examined the characteristics of patients associated with IUD-related bladder perforation and evaluated the relationship between mislocated IUDs and their potential complications. METHODS: From October 2005 to December 2021, 13 reports regarding complete perforations to the bladder by IUDs were retrieved from the National Contraceptives Adverse Reaction Monitoring System of China. The clinical features of these cases were analyzed. RESULTS: The median patient age was 30 (range, 27-46) years. There were four cases (4/13, 30.8%) with IUDs placed during lactation, one case (1/13, 7.7%) with an IUD placed after medical abortion, and eight cases (8/13, 61.5%) placed after menstruation. Seven cases (7/13, 53.9%) were first-time IUD users. The median duration of IUD placement was 47 (range, 1-145) months. Unexpected pregnancy was reported in five cases (5/13, 38.5%). Six cases (6/13, 46.2%) reported bladder stones with varying degrees of abdominal pain or urinary tract infection. Removal methods included laparotomy (four cases), cystoscopy (four cases), laparoscopy (two cases), laparoscopy combined with cystoscopy (two cases), and laparotomy after cystoscopy (one case). All IUDs were successfully removed. CONCLUSIONS: Complete perforation to the bladder by IUDs is a rare adverse event. Regular follow-up is required after the placement of IUDs. The possibility of uterine perforation should be investigated if IUD users encounter persistent lower abdominal pain or urinary tract infection.

Blunt traumatic female urethral and bladder neck injuries: a 15-year single-institution experience.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience in the management and outcomes of female patients with urethral or bladder neck (BN) injury at a high-volume Level 1 trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all female patients with urethral or BN injury by blunt trauma mechanism admitted to a Level 1 trauma center between 2005 and 2019 was performed. RESULTS: Ten patients met study criteria with median age 36.5 years. All had concomitant pelvic fractures. All injuries were confirmed operatively, with no delayed diagnoses. Two patients were lost to follow up. One patient was not eligible for early repair of urethral injury and had two repairs of a urethrovaginal fistula. Two of seven (29%) patients who underwent early repair of their injury had an early Clavien grade > 2 complication, with none reporting long-term complications at median follow-up of 15.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative evaluation is critical in the diagnosis of female urethral and BN injury. In our experience, acute surgical complications are not uncommon after the management of such injuries. However, there were no reported long-term complications in those patients who had prompt management of their injury. This aggressive diagnostic and surgical strategy is instrumental in attaining excellent surgical outcomes.

Intraperitoneal Urinary Bladder Rupture as a Cause of Pneumoperitoneum.

The most common cause of pneumoperitoneum in trauma patients is hollow viscus injury; however, in patients with pneumoperitoneum on imaging and normal hollow viscus during the laparotomy, other rare causes of pneumoperitoneum like intraperitoneal urinary bladder rupture should be ruled out. Urinary bladder can rupture either extraperitoneally or intraperitoneally or both. Rupture of the urinary bladder is commonly seen in patients with abdominal trauma; however, pneumoperitoneum is usually not seen in patients with traumatic bladder rupture. Intraperitoneal bladder rupture is usually due to the sudden rise in intra-abdominal pressure following abdominal or pelvic trauma. However, it is a rare cause of pneumoperitoneum and is managed by surgical repair. We present a case of blunt trauma abdomen with pneumoperitoneum due to isolated intraperitoneal bladder rupture who was managed by exploratory laparotomy and primary repair of the urinary bladder.

Systematic review of urological injury during caesarean section and hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We aim to review iatrogenic bladder and ureteric injuries sustained during caesarean section and hysterectomy. METHODS: A search of Cochrane, Embase, Medline and grey literature was performed using methods pre-published on PROSPERO. Eligible studies described iatrogenic bladder or ureter injury rates during caesarean section or hysterectomy. The 15 largest studies were included for each procedure sub-type and meta-analyses performed. The primary outcome was injury incidence. Secondary outcomes were risk factors and preventative measures. RESULTS: Ninety-six eligible studies were identified, representing 1,741,894 women. Amongst women undergoing caesarean section, weighted pooled rates of bladder or ureteric injury per 100,000 procedures were 267 or 9 events respectively. Injury rates during hysterectomy varied by approach and pathological condition. Weighted pooled mean rates for bladder injury were 212-997 events per 100,000 procedures for all approaches (open, vaginal, laparoscopic, laparoscopically assisted vaginal and robot assisted) and all pathological conditions (benign, malignant, any), except for open peripartum hysterectomy (6,279 events) and laparoscopic hysterectomy for malignancy (1,553 events). Similarly, weighted pooled mean rates for ureteric injury were 9-577 events per 100,000 procedures for all hysterectomy approaches and pathologies, except for open peripartum hysterectomy (666 events) and laparoscopic hysterectomy for malignancy (814 events). Surgeon inexperience was the prime risk factor for injury, and improved anatomical knowledge the leading preventative strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Caesarean section and most types of hysterectomy carry low rates of urological injury. Obstetricians and gynaecologists should counsel the patient for her individual risk of injury, prospectively establish risk factors and implement preventative strategies.

Risk Factors for Bladder Perforation at the Time of Retropubic Midurethral Sling Placement.

IMPORTANCE: There is conflicting evidence regarding predictive factors for bladder perforation during retropubic midurethral sling (R-MUS) placement and lack of evidence to support adoption of techniques to minimize such injury. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to describe the incidence of and factors associated with bladder perforation during R-MUS placement and to explore whether retropubic hydrodissection decreases the likelihood of perforation. STUDY DESIGN: This is a case-control study of women undergoing R-MUS placement from 2007 to 2017. Cases were identified by review of the operative reports for evidence of bladder perforation. Patients without bladder perforation were defined as controls and were matched to cases in a 3:1 ratio by surgeon, sling type, and surgery date. RESULTS: A total of 1,187 patients underwent R-MUS placement. The incidence of bladder perforation was 8% (n = 92 patients); 276 controls were matched accordingly (N = 368). Patients with bladder perforations were more likely to have a body mass index (BMI) less than 30 (P = 0.004) and to have a diagnosis of endometriosis (P = 0.02). They were also more likely to have had previous hysterectomy (P = 0.03) and urethral bulking (P = 0.01). On logistic regression, bladder perforation remained associated with a BMI less than 30 (adjusted odds ratio, 2.22 [95% confidence interval, 1.30-3.80]) and endometriosis (adjusted odds ratio 2.90 [95% confidence interval, 1.15-7.01]). Retropubic hydrodissection was performed in 62% of the patients and was not associated with a lower risk of perforation (P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of bladder perforation was 8%. The risk of this complication is higher in patients with a BMI less than 30 and/or endometriosis. Retropubic hydrodissection may not decrease the likelihood of this event.

General surgeons' comfort and urologists' perceptions of bladder trauma management.

INTRODUCTION: Utilizing a physician-reported survey, we assessed general surgeons (GS) comfort level in the management of bladder trauma, from a GS and urologist's perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online questionnaires were distributed electronically to physicians of the American College of Surgeons and American Urological Association. This survey queried demographic data, clinical factors that may influence urology consultations, and bladder injury scenarios of varying severities. Two questions were presented for each scenario, the first querying GS comfort level in bladder trauma management, the second assessing the likelihood of obtaining urology consultations in such scenarios. Responses were graded on a Likert scale. RESULTS: Overall, 108 (51%) GS and 104 (49%) urologists responded. When compared to managing Grade I injuries, the comfort level of GS decreased as the severity of bladder trauma increased, while the likelihood of obtaining a urology consultation increased. While the perceived comfort of GS by urologists decreased from 84% to 5% for Grade I to Grade V injuries, GS reported a significantly higher comfort level (Grade I: 92%, p = 0.09; Grade V: 31%, p < 0.001). Majority of GS indicated that preoperative diagnosis on imaging (56%), intraoperative diagnosis (62%), and timing of patient presentation (76%), did not affect their decision to consult urology for assistance in bladder trauma (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GS-reported comfort levels for bladder trauma management remains higher than urology-perceived comfort levels. Contrary to urologists' perception, most peri-injury factors did not affect GS decision to consult urology for bladder trauma. We hope this study can foster discussion and improve interdisciplinary collaboration in bladder trauma management.

Laparoscopic synthetic mesh explantation after sacrohysteropexy.

INTRODUCTION: In this video, we present a case of rectal and bladder injury, which occurred during laparoscopic mesh removal following sacrohysteropexy treated 6 months later with a laparoscopic pectopexy. METHODS: We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a prolapse recurrence after sacrohysteropexy. During the laparoscopic explantation of the mesh, we detected a fixation of the mesh to the bladder and the rectum rather than a fixation to the vaginal walls. Consequently, bladder and rectal injuries occurred during the dissection and were diagnosed and repaired immediately. Due to bowel injury, the treatment of the prolapse was postponed. Six months later, a laparoscopic pectopexy was performed to avoid complications during the repeated dissection of the promontory. The postoperative recovery after the pectopexy was uncomplicated with no short-term prolapse recurrence or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy appears to be an efficient approach to mesh explantation. Futhermore, laparoscopic pectopexy seems to be a good approach to secondary prolapse reconstruction after sacrohysteropexy mesh explantation avoiding complications during repeated dissection of the promontory.

Pseudorenal failure as a delayed presentation of a traumatic urinary bladder rupture.

The urinary bladder is less susceptible to traumatic injury than other abdominal organs, due to its anatomical location behind the pubic bone. As a result, intraperitoneal urinary bladder ruptures are a rare consequence of blunt abdominal trauma and most often occur in the context of high energy and multitraumas. However, a distended bladder is more vulnerable to burst rupture even from a minor trauma, and in case of an isolated bladder injury, presentation can be delayed. We describe a case in which a patient presented 4 days after a minor blunt trauma, with an acute abdomen and pseudorenal failure as the main clinical signs of urinary ascites due to a significant bladder rupture. As an intraperitoneal bladder rupture is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and should be treated surgically, it should always be considered in patients presenting with anuria, ascites and increased serum creatinine after abdominal trauma.

En Bloc Resection for Bladder Tumors: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Its Differential Effect on Safety, Recurrence and Histopathology.

PURPOSE: En bloc resection for bladder tumors has been developed to overcome shortcomings of conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors with regard to safety, pathological evaluation and oncologic outcomes. However, the potential benefits and utility compared to conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors have not been conclusively demonstrated. We aimed to update the current evidence with focus on the pathological benefits of en bloc resection for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed®, Web of Science™ and Scopus® databases were searched in August 2021 according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) statement. Studies were deemed eligible if they compared safety, and pathological and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent en bloc resection with conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors. RESULTS: Overall, 29 studies comprising 4,484 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. Among 13 randomized controlled trials, the pooled 12- and 24-month recurrence risk ratios were not statistically different between the 2 surgical techniques (0.96, 95% CI 0.74-1.23 and 0.83, 95% CI 0.55-1.23, respectively). The pooled risk ratio for bladder perforation was 0.13 (95% CI 0.05-0.34) in favor of en bloc resection. In randomized controlled trials, the differential rates of detrusor muscle presence (pooled RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.19-1.43) and of detectable muscularis mucosae (pooled RR 2.69, 95% CI 1.81-3.97) were more likely in patients receiving en bloc resection. Patients who underwent en bloc resection had a lower rate of residual tumor at repeat transurethral resection than those treated with conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors in 1 randomized controlled trial and 3 observational studies (pooled RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: En bloc resection for bladder tumors seems to be safer, and to yield superior histopathological information and performance compared to conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors. Despite the failure to improve the recurrence rate, the more accurate histopathological analysis is likely to improve clinical decision making and care delivery in nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Maternal and neonatal trauma following operative vaginal delivery.

BACKGROUND: Operative vaginal delivery (OVD) is considered safe if carried out by trained personnel. However, opportunities for training in OVD have declined and, given these shifts in practice, the safety of OVD is unknown. We estimated incidence rates of trauma following OVD in Canada, and quantified variation in trauma rates by instrument, region, level of obstetric care and institutional OVD volume. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of all singleton, term deliveries in Canada between April 2013 and March 2019, excluding Quebec. Our main outcome measures were maternal trauma (e.g., obstetric anal sphincter injury, high vaginal lacerations) and neonatal trauma (e.g., subgaleal hemorrhage, brachial plexus injury). We calculated adjusted and stabilized rates of trauma using mixed-effects logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 1 326 191 deliveries, 38 500 (2.9%) were attempted forceps deliveries and 110 987 (8.4%) were attempted vacuum deliveries. The maternal trauma rate following forceps delivery was 25.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.8%-25.7%) and the neonatal trauma rate was 9.6 (95% CI 8.6-10.6) per 1000 live births. Maternal and neonatal trauma rates following vacuum delivery were 13.2% (95% CI 13.0%-13.4%) and 9.6 (95% CI 9.0-10.2) per 1000 live births, respectively. Maternal trauma rates remained higher with forceps than with vacuum after adjustment for confounders (adjusted rate ratio 1.70, 95% CI 1.65-1.75) and varied by region, but not by level of obstetric care. INTERPRETATION: In Canada, rates of trauma following OVD are higher than previously reported, irrespective of region, level of obstetric care and volume of OVD among hospitals. These results support a reassessment of OVD safety in Canada.