Experience of renal artery embolization in patients with blunt kidney trauma

INTRODUCTION The ren is considered as the most commonly damaged genitourinary organ. In general, blunt kidney traumas (BKT) are mild and can be managed conservatively. We aimed to analyze our own experiences of selective renal artery embolization (RAE) in BKT patients and compare obtained results with other reports. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed the medical and technical outcomes of RAE in 20 patients with grades II-IV blunt kidney traumas. Indications for RAE were blunt kidney trauma combined with a gross hematuria that could not be stopped conservatively. For evaluating the functioning of kidneys we used radioisotope renography. RESULTS According to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma classification, grade II blunt kidney injury was registered at 2 (10.0%) pts, grade III - at 11 (55.0%) pts and grade IV - at 7 (35.0%) pts. In all patients, the bleeding was stopped with the embolization procedure. 18 (90.0%) patients were treated in a single interventional session and 2 (10.0%) needed further intervention. Different complications were registered as 5 (25%) pts: two or more complications were often combined in each individual case. The function in damaged kidneys was preserved at the 3(rd) month after RAE sessions. CONCLUSIONS RAE is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for blunt kidney injury that ensures the cessation of gross hematuria and kidney function preserving.