Blunt renal trauma. Analysis of 417 patients

Case records of 417 patients, from a well-defined area, who were hospitalized because of blunt renal trauma during the period 1950-1979 were analyzed. The incidence increased during the final decade, corresponding to a rising incidence of motor traffic accidents and sports injuries. Young patients, between 10 and 29 years of age, were responsible for the increase and half of all patients were in this age group. Associated injuries were frequent. Emergency urography was rare during the earlier part of the investigation period, but the frequency increased strongly thereafter. Treatment was mainly conservative (nonoperative) except in patients with major renal injuries. Nephrectomy was performed in 22 patients. Reconstructive surgery was performed especially in patients with intermediate renal injuries during the final decade. The total mortality was 6.5%. Only 7 patients (1.7%) died from the renal injury. A dramatic reduction in the hospitalization time was noted.