Intermediate-term follow-up of patients treated with percutaneous embolization for grade 5 blunt renal trauma

The short-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous embolization for the treatment of hemodynamically unstable patients with grade 5 renal injuries secondary to blunt trauma has been previously established; however, there has been no published intermediate-term follow-up. The purpose of this study is to report intermediate-term follow-up and complications for this treatment modality.

A retrospective study was performed to determine intermediate-term outcomes in an observational cohort of patients who underwent percutaneous embolization for the management of grade 5 blunt renal trauma. Demographic and perioperative data were obtained. Follow-up was performed via mail and/or phone questionnaires.

Between October 2004 and July 2008, 10 hemodynamically unstable patients with grade 5 blunt renal trauma were treated with percutaneous embolization. Mean age of the cohort was 29 years (range, 5-50). Mean follow-up via phone and/or mail questionnaires was 2.7 years (1.5-5.1 years). One patient reported a new diagnosis of hypertension, which is well controlled by a single antihypertensive medication. There were no reported complications of refractory hypertension, altered renal function, new urolithiasis, chronic pain, urine leak, arteriovenous fistula, or pseudoaneurysm. No other procedures were required after the initial embolization for their renal trauma.

Management of grade 5 renal injuries with percutaneous embolization is safe and is not associated with intermediate-term adverse events.