Evaluation and management of renal injuries: consensus statement of the renal trauma subcommittee.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimal evaluation and management of renal injuries by review of the world's English-language literature on the subject.


METHODS
A consensus conference convened by the World Health Organization and the Societé Internationale d'Urologie met to critically review reports of the diagnosis and treatment of renal trauma. The English-language literature about renal trauma was identified using Medline, and additional cited works not detected in the initial search obtained. Evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of renal trauma were made with reference to a five-point scale.


RESULTS
There were many Level 3 and 4 citations, few Level 2, and one Level 1 which supported clinical practice patterns. Findings of nearly 200 reviewed citations are summarized.


CONCLUSIONS
Published reports on renal trauma still rely heavily on expert opinion and single-institution retrospective case series. Prospective trials of the most significant issues, when possible, might improve the quality of evidence that dictates the behaviour of practitioners.
Santucci
R A
RA
Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, USA.
Wessells
H
H
Bartsch
G
G
Descotes
J
J
Heyns
C F
CF
McAninch
J W
JW
Nash
P
P
Schmidlin
F
F
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007668:Kidney / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*