ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and degree of renal injury, according to the site of entry in patients admitted with abdominal and thoracic stab injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1991 and March 2002, 158 patients that were admitted to the departments of urology, and general and thoracic surgeries due to abdominal and thoracic stab injuries, with or without renal trauma, were included in this study. We reviewed our clinical records to clarify the frequency of renal trauma, associated intra-abdominal injuries, the risk of renal trauma, according to the site of entry, and their treatments. RESULTS: The overall incidence of renal trauma was 15% (24 of 158 patients), and one fourth of all the abdominal and thoracic stab injuries. There was a 75% frequency of associated intra-abdominal injuries, with small bowel, liver, colon and the chest being the most commonly injured organs. Of the 158 patients, 77 and 24 were related to abdominal and flank penetration, and of these 5 (6%) and 10 (42%) presented with renal trauma, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of renal trauma in the admitted patients with abdominal and thoracic stab injuries can be expected to have a probability of 15%, and when the entrance site is the flank or back, the risk of renal trauma may be increased.