Salvageability of kidney in Grade IV renal trauma by minimally invasive treatment methods

CONTEXT: Renal trauma is increasingly being managed conservatively. Grade I-III injuries are managed conservatively whereas Grade V injuries may end in surgery. Managing Grade IV renal trauma is individualized and managed accordingly. AIMS: To evaluate retrospectively all Grade IV renal injuries managed in our institute over five years and to review the available literature. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Reviewing the records of patients who sustained renal trauma and study all Grade IV renal injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all Grade IV renal injuries (16) managed at our institute between July 2008-August 2013. All patients were treated conservatively initially by hemodynamic stabilization, strict bed rest, if required endoscopic procedures. These patients were followed up with CECT. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics was performed using Microsoft excel spreadsheet 2007. Continuous data were described as mean and range. Categorical data was described as percentages. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with Grade IV renal injury were included in the study. All patients had gross hematuria and 15 had urinary extravasation. D-J Stenting was done in 7 patients; perinephric tube drainage with D-J stentingwas done in 2 patients. One required selective upper pole arterial embolisation. Nephrectomy was not required in any of the patients. In the follow-up period, no patient had delayed complications. CONCLUSIONS: Successful conservative management of Grade IV renal trauma requires constant monitoring both clinically and radiologically, and if properly managed, kidneys can be salvaged in all stable patients as reinforced by our study.