[Renal trauma: is open surgery still up to date?]

For several years conservative treatment of renal trauma has been increasing. Investigation of circulatory conditions, renal ultrasound, and CT scan are necessary for assessing the extent of renal injury by the exact classifications of the organ injury scale. Through close cooperation of all departments involved, especially intensive care, traumatology, general surgery, radiology, and urology, it should be possible to limit primarily operative open surgery to life-threatening renal bleeding (grade V). All other cases require a repeat diagnosis for control purposes after 2-4 days. Complications found then can for the most part be treated conservatively or by minimally invasive techniques. Thus, open operative intervention has been minimized in these cases too.