Conservative management of renal lacerations in blunt trauma

Controversy in the treatment of blunt renal trauma is largely focused on immediate surgery versus conservative management for parenchymal lacerations. A retrospective analysis of 133 cases of blunt renal trauma at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax over a 10-year period revealed 26 cases of renal laceration. The conservative approach to radiologic diagnosis and treatment options is discussed. Our experience confirms a low rate of both nephrectomy and secondary complications using conservative management.