Pediatric Renal Trauma

Abstract

This review addresses the new staging criteria applied to classify renal trauma accurately. We discuss the unique differences in the etiology and management of renal trauma between adults and children. The commentary defines the differences in managing low-, medium-, and high-velocity traumatic injuries compared with blunt renal trauma, and the criteria and methods used to screen for these injuries in children are provided. Absolute and relative indications for surgical exploration of traumatic renal injuries are examined. Management of the complications of acute and delayed renal hemorrhage, asymptomatic and symptomatic urinomas, chronic pain, and hypertension is discussed. Recommendations for physical activity following the traumatic loss of a kidney are reviewed. This review contains 10 figures, 7 tables and 49 references  Key words: false aneurysm, hematuria, kidney, nonpenetrating wounds, penetrating wounds, renal hypertension, renal trauma, therapeutic embolization, traumatic shock, urinoma