Attempted Nonoperative Management of Blunt Renal Lacerations Extending Through the Corticomedullary Junction: The Short-Term and Long-Term Sequelae

A total of 50 patients who sustained a renal laceration extending through the corticomedullary junction following blunt trauma underwent an attempt at nonoperative (expectant) management of the urological injury. Of the patients 18% could not be stabilized and they subsequently underwent emergency laparotomy. Among our stabilized patients 2 major categories existed: 1) 30 patients with vascularized renal fragments and 2) 11 in whom a fragment of the kidney was devascularized. A statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay (p equals 0.01) and the need for delayed surgical intervention (p less than 0.001) was noted between the 2 groups. We recommend that the physician must have a heightened awareness of probable complications in patients with major renal lacerations associated with devitalized fragments and suggest that early surgical management should be considered.