Predictors of outcomes in conservative management of high-grade renal trauma

Abstract Background Management of high-grade renal trauma is debatable, with the recent evidence embracing a conservative approach in the management of even grade 5 renal injuries. The study aimed to analyze the clinical profile of patients with high-grade renal trauma, assessing their management strategies, outcomes, complications, and need for ancillary procedures. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data was performed involving blunt abdominal trauma patients with high-grade renal injuries (Grade 4 and 5) presenting to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2022. Patient data analyzed included demographics, clinical presentation, injury characteristics, complications, ancillary procedures, and mortality rates. All patients underwent renal functional assessment using an isotope renogram scan at the 3-month follow-up. Data collected were entered into a database and subjected to descriptive analysis using Jamovi version 2.3.28. Results The study included 45 patients with a mean age of 29 years and a male-to-female ratio of 41:4. Most patients ( n = 42) were managed conservatively. Thirty-eight patients had grade 4 injuries, and seven had grade 5 injuries. Twenty-six patients suffered renal parenchymal injuries alone, three patients had renal vascular injuries alone, and 16 patients had both parenchymal and vascular injuries. Grade 5 renal injury ( p < 0.001), vascular high-grade injury ( p < 0.001), angioembolization ( p < 0.001), and blood transfusions ( p = 0.021) were significantly associated with the incidence of poorly functioning kidney in high-grade renal trauma patients managed conservatively. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed angioembolization ( p < 0.001), poorly functioning kidney post-trauma ( p < 0.001), and blood transfusions ( p < 0.001) were significantly associated with high-grade renal vascular injuries compared to high-grade renal parenchymal injuries. Conclusion Conservative management is advisable for high-grade renal trauma in hemodynamically stable patients. High-grade vascular injuries are more severe than parenchymal injuries and correlate with poorer renal functional outcomes. Grade 5 renal injury, predominantly vascular high-grade injury, and the requirement for angioembolization and blood transfusions serve as significant predictors of poorly functioning kidneys post-trauma. Urologists should consider these predictors when counseling patients regarding potential outcomes following conservative management of high-grade renal trauma.