Blunt renal trauma: the value of a conservative approach to major injuries in clinically stable patients.

A 10-year retrospective study of 393 cases of blunt renal trauma was carried out to evaluate the use of a conservative approach to therapy in clinically stable patients with major renal injuries. Injuries were minor in 357 patients who were successfully treated conservatively. Major injuries occurred in 36 patients; 28 were treated conservatively. Of the 28, 17 had no complications. Seven required total or partial nephrectomy to control bleeding and four had drainage, one with marsupialization of a large renal cyst, 1 year after injury. The authors advocate conservative treatment of major blunt renal injuries in clinically stable patients.