A retrospective review evaluates renal trauma management and outcomes in adults and children, indicating adherence to guidelines.
Introduction The kidney is the most frequently injured organ in the urinary system. Management of renal trauma has evolved over the years, with guidelines advocating non-operative management approaches, judicious use of imaging and structured follow-up. Whilst outcomes in the adult population are well-described, paediatric cohorts are less frequently audited. We aimed to evaluate the management and follow-up across both groups against international standards. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all renal trauma cases (February 2020–February 2025) admitted to a single UK Major Trauma Centre. Cases were identified via prospectively maintained trauma registries and stratified into adults (>16 years) and paediatrics (≤16 years). Exclusion criteria included non-traumatic renal pathology and incomplete records. Demographics, injury grade, imaging, interventions and outcomes data were evaluated. Compliance with EAU/AUA guideline criteria was analysed for each cohort. Results 92 patients were identified: 79 adults and 13 paediatric, with a male predominance across both groups (77 and 69% respectively). The majority of stable patients were managed non-operatively, achieving an overall renal salvage rate of 96%. Delayed-phase imaging at initial CT was underutilised (<50%), despite most patients being stable. Blood pressure monitoring advice at discharge was infrequently documented in both cohorts. Mortality was 0% in paediatrics and low overall. Conclusions Management largely aligned with guidelines, with excellent renal salvage and low mortality rates. Priorities are standardising delayed-phase imaging on initial CT where feasible and embedding blood-pressure monitoring advice in discharge documentation. Our findings are informing new local renal trauma protocols; re-audit is planned.
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Hunter et al. (2026) studied this question.
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