A Conservative Approach to the Management of Blunt Renal Trauma: Results of a Follow-up Study

Abstract

Forty patients with abnormal radiological findings after blunt renal trauma are presented. A conservative approach to treatment led to only 3 nephrectomies in patients with renal pedicle injury and to surgery in another 4 patients; in only 1 case was the function of the injured kidney reduced. At follow-up 1-5 yr later, 4 patients had mild subjective symptoms, but the objective findings were few and insignificant. Since serious sequelae (e.g., hypertension) may follow renal trauma, these patients should be seen 1 yr after injury for clinical examination, including renography and measurement of blood pressure.