Management of a Stage IV Kidney Fracture Discovered Late in a Developing Country (Cameroon)

Abstract

Introduction: Severe kidney injury is becoming increasingly common in our setting, particularly secondary to penetrating and blunt injuries. This injury often goes unnoticed on initial presentation. The decision to perform a nephrectomy in cases of kidney trauma depends on the extent of the injury, associated complications and the patient’s general state. Case presentation: We report the case of a 25-year-old patient who presented at the emergency department of the Douala General Hospital (DGH) in a state of haemorrhagic shock following a penetrating dorsolumbar injury which had occurred one week earlier. The discovery of an AAST grade 4 renal lesion led to an emergency nephrectomy. Conclusion: Kidney injury can occur through several possible mechanisms. Nephrectomy rate increases as renal trauma becomes more severe, particularly in the case of penetrating injuries. Our focus is on the delay in nephrectomy after severe renal trauma in our setting.