During a 7 year period, we have seen 111 patients with bladder rupture, 95 from blunt trauma and 16 due to penetrating injuries. All 16 patients with penetrating injuries, as well as an additional 34 patients with intraperitoneal injuries, nine patients with extraperitoneal injuries, and five with both intra- and extraperitoneal injuries from blunt trauma, had formal closure of the wound and urethral or suprapubic catheter drainage. All did well. A total of 39 patients with extraperitoneal bladder injuries were treated with only catheter drainage and all did well. Eight patients died before institution of therapy.