Renal Artery Embolization in Trauma: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The primary aim of this systematic review is to evaluate whether renal artery embolization (RAE) is a useful adjunct to nonoperative management (NOM) in renal trauma patients and to investigate the differences in treatment efficacy across all injury grades.

Method(s): A search strategy was conducted using electronic databases (including PubMed and Medline). Initially, abstracts then the full papers were screened by two reviewers based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary outcome was treatment failure which was defined as a need for a nephrectomy or a repeat RAE. Secondary outcomes included mortality, need for blood transfusion and length of hospital admission. The AAST classification was used for grading renal injuries.

Result(s): A total of 21 studies (time frame 2001–2018) were included. Most studies indicated that NOM was used to manage patients with injury grades I and II. In renal grade III injuries, 31% received selective RAE, in grades IV and V it was 42 and 36%, respectively. Success rates for grades III and IV were 89 and 82%.

Conclusion(s): RAE was most commonly used in AAST grade IV renal blunt trauma injuries with the majority of the selected studies demonstrating positive outcomes and recommended the use of RAE.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2023