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Published on: November 3, 2023
Nonoperative management of blunt renal injury: a need for further study
Pablo Aguayo1, Jason D Fraser, Susan Sharp
1Department of Surgery, The Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
Insights
Blunt renal trauma in children rarely leads to severe injury. Hematuria clearance is not a key indicator, suggesting less restrictive management protocols may be safe and effective.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Urology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Blunt renal injury in children is typically managed nonoperatively.
- Established guidelines for nonoperative management of pediatric blunt renal trauma are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the natural history of blunt renal injuries in children.
- To identify recommendations for the nonoperative management of these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 years of pediatric blunt renal injury cases.
- Evaluation of patient demographics, injury characteristics, and management outcomes.
Main Results:
- 111 pediatric patients with renal injury were identified.
- Isolated renal injuries (n=65) had short bed rest (3.8 days) and hospitalization (3.8 days).
- Persistent hematuria did not result in long-term sequelae; no transfusions or nephrectomies were needed in isolated injuries.
Conclusions:
- Significant injury risk from blunt renal trauma in children is low.
- Hematuria clearance may not be a critical parameter for management decisions.
- A more liberal, prospective management protocol for blunt renal trauma in children is warranted.
Background:
Blunt renal injury in children is usually managed without an operation. However, there are no published guidelines for nonoperative management. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective review to examine the natural history of these injuries and to identify potential recommendations for management.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of our most recent 12-year experience with blunt renal injury was performed.
Results:
One hundred eleven trauma patients were identified as having a renal injury. Mean age was 10.8 +/- 4.4 years with a weight of 43.1 +/- 20.8 kg and 65% of the patients were males. In patients with an isolated renal injury (n = 65), the mean length of bed rest was 3.8 +/- 1.9 days, resulting in a mean length of hospitalization of 3.8 +/- 3.1 days. There were no transfusions, and the only operation for renal trauma was a nephrectomy in a patient with existing end-stage obstructive nephropathy of that kidney. There were 15 patients discharged with persistent hematuria, none of which had long-term sequelae.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest the risk of significant injury from blunt renal trauma is low, and clearance of hematuria is not likely an important parameter such that bed rest with serial blood and urine monitoring may not be justified. There is clearly a role for the prospective application of a more liberal management protocol.
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