Over the previous 8 years, the authors have treated 12 patients (11 males and 1 female with a mean age of 32 years (26 to 54 years)) with traumatic rupture of the bladder. Rupture was secondary to direct trauma to the full bladder in one case and pelvic trauma in 11 cases. Associated lesions were pelvic trauma (11 cases), head injury (4 cases), chest trauma (2 cases), rupture of the spleen (1 case) and small bowel perforation (1 case). The clinical features were dominated by suprapubic pain (11 cases), haematuria (10 cases), haemorrhagic shock (4 cases) and peritoneal syndrome (3 cases). IVU confirmed the diagnosis in 6 out of 8 cases. Retrograde cystourethrography was conclusive whenever it was performed. The retroperitoneal rupture was treated by indwelling catheter for 15 days. Intraperitoneal ruptures were treated surgically. The breach was situated in the dôme in 10 cases and on the posterior surface in 1 case. The size of the wound ranged from 2 to 8 cm. Treatment consisted of suture of the rupture and indwelling catheter for an average of 12 days. Cure was always obtained without sequelae.