Editor's Comment

Abstract

International Braz J UrolThe March -April 2003 issue of the International Braz J Urol presents outstanding contributions from different countries, and the Editor will highlight some important papers. Doctors Metro and McAninch, from the University of California and San Francisco General Hospital, California, USA, a world experienced team in the field, presented on page 98 a thorough discussion on the current indications and technique on surgical exploration of the injured kidney. The treatment guidelines and algorithms presented by the authors for management of renal trauma are based on a 25-year experience with more than 3,150 renal injuries treated at San Francisco General Hospital. The experience demonstrated that renal exploration was necessary in only 2% of blunt injuries and in 57% of penetrating injuries (42% of stab wounds and 76% of gunshot wounds). Early vascular control yields a high rate of renal salvage, with only 11% of renal explorations requiring nephrectomy in the authors' hands.