Genitourinary injuries following road traffic collisions: a population-based study from the Middle East

The epidemiology of trauma to genitourinary (GU) organs following Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) is not well-studied, especially in the Middle East.

The data of the RTC Injury Registry in Al-Ain City were collected prospectively from April 2006-October 2007.

Of the 1,008 patients in the registry, there were 23 GU injuries. Renal injuries accounted for 74% of injuries. Of these, 35% were severe (grade IV-V). There were two extraperitoneal bladder injuries and two membranous urethral injuries, all of which were associated with pelvic fractures. In addition, there were two asymptomatic adrenal injuries. The mean Injury Severity Score, mean total hospital stay and percentage of patients who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission were higher in patients with GU injuries compared to non-GU patients (24.9 vs. 9.0 (p<0.0001), 24.1 vs. 8.9 days (p<0.0001) and 67% vs. 17% (p<0.0001), respectively). Side-angle collision was the primary crash mechanism in 39% of GU patients vs. 16% in non-GU patients (p=0.015).

This is the first population-based study of GU injuries following RTC from the Middle East. Patients with GU organ injury tend to have more severe trauma compared to other patients. The incidence of GU injuries following RTC in the current study appears to be higher than that reported in the West.