Delayed dehiscence of repaired urinary bladder

Delayed dehiscence of a previously repaired bladder rupture in a 12-year-old boy is descr ibed. There was no obvious cause except that while in bed the boy had withheld his ear ly morning urge to pass urine. He presented with peritonitis and raised urea and creatinine levels. Retrograde cystography was diagnostic after the urinary catheter had drained 1.2 litres of blood-tinged urine. The rent in the dome of the bladder at the site of previous repair was closed with polyglycolic acid sutures dur ing emergency laparatomy. Though rarely reported, delayed dehiscence is a possibility which can occur in repaired urinary bladder. It emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up.