Contemporary management of acute kidney trauma

Abstract

Renal injury occurs in 1%–5% of all traumas, causing disability or even death. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) renal injury scale should be used when injuries are reported. Although there is a consensus regarding handling of lower-grade injuries conservatively, the same cannot be said for the higher-grades, for which different specialists handle either conservatively or surgically. A search of the MEDLINE database was undertaken by using the following filters: English language articles, full-text availability, last five years, humans. Pediatric studies were excluded. For most renal injuries in hemodynamically stable, patients can be safely handled conservatively. An organized assessment and treatment system can reduce the need for nephrectomy in most other cases, as has occurred in the last two decades. The AAST injury scale should be updated in light of the advancements in imaging techniques, in order to fine tune grading and treatment.