Observation vs. early drainage for grade IV blunt renal trauma: a multicenter study

Does a collecting system injury with grade iv renal blunt trauma always need urinary intervention?

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the characteristics associated with the need for urinary intervention for a blunt renal injury with collection system involvement using a computed tomography (CT) protocol for trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Abdominal CT images of patients with blunt renal injuries from 2016 to 2020 were reviewed. Patients with low-grade renal trauma, non-collecting system involvement, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade V shattered kidney, and emergent nephrectomy were excluded. The largest perinephric mass thickness was measured in the axial view using CT, and a cutoff value was obtained using a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Risk factors for further urinary intervention were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 70 patients included in this study, those with perinephric mass thicknesses < 25 mm (n = 36) had a significantly lower rate of urinary intervention than those with perinephric mass thicknesses ≥ 25 mm (0 vs. 5; p = 0.023). There was no significant difference in the follow-up durations of the groups (19 days vs. 38 days; p = 0.198). More than 90% of the perinephric mass in the < 25 mm group resolved within a median follow-up duration of 38 days, whereas nearly half of the ≥ 25 mm group had a residual perinephric mass during a median follow-up duration of 19 days.

CONCLUSION

The initial CT protocol for trauma was useful for predicting the need for further urinary interventions for collecting system injuries. A perinephric mass thickness < 25 mm is predictive of a low likelihood of requiring urinary intervention.

[Late complications after blunt renal trauma: A French multicenter study]

INTRODUCTION

Among genitourinary traumas, blunt trauma to the kidney are the most frequent: their initial management has been well studied but their development at a distance is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to assess the late complications of blunt renal trauma, and to investigate their predictive factors for occurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study of the TraumAFUF project was conducted, including, between 2005 and 2018, all blunt renal trauma treated in 18 French hospitals and followed for more than 3 months. The characteristics of the initial trauma, as well as any complications occurring after three months, were identified. The patients were divided into two groups: onset of a late complication (LC) or uncomplicated (UC). The groups were compared in univariate and multivariate analyses to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of these complications.

RESULTS

Among the 454 patients included, 50 presented with LC (11%), as symptomatic morphologically altered kidney (2.9%), secondarily impaired biological renal function (2.9%), or secondary arterial hypertension (2.4%). The risk factors identified were, during initial medical care, a high-grade renal trauma≥IV (OR=2.4, P=0.025), active bleeding (OR=2.6, P=0.007), the need for transfusion (OR=2.3, P=0.001), or interventional (R=1.7, P=0.09) or endoscopic treatment (OR=2.0, P=0.035).

CONCLUSION

In this study, late complications occurred in 11% of cases after blunt renal trauma. The risk factors identified make it possible to draw up a patient profile who would benefit from prolonged follow-up to detect these complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

[Management of complications of upper urinary tract trauma (kidney and ureter)]

INTRODUCTION

Complications of kidney and ureter trauma are directly in the field of the urologist. If they have a second place in the vital prognosis, a good knowledge of these pathologies is essential.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was carried out using the Medline database in order to identify the most relevant articles in English and French.

RESULTS

Urinary extravasation in the context of blunt kidney trauma has a good functional prognosis. Impaired function of the traumatized kidney is linked to vascular damage associated with grade IV and V. Non operative management is the treatment of choice with deferred management in the event of septic or painful deterioration. The lesions of the ureter are predominantly iatrogenic. While incomplete lesions can be treated endoscopically, complete lesions (stenosis or wound) require surgery. The most frequent lesions, in the distal ureter are easily treated by ureterovesical reimplantation. Large losses of substance may require ileal replacement.

CONCLUSION

Blunt kidney trauma causing urinary extravasation, with an excellent prognosis, are treated conservatively. Conversely, lesions of the ureter require in the majority of cases an intervention to restore continuity.