Trauma to the genitourinary tract often occurs in association with other injuries. Initial assessment of the trauma patient should include securing the airway, controlling external bleeding and resuscitation of shock, as required. In many cases, physical examination is carried out during the stabilization of the patient. The kidney is the most commonly involved genitourinary organ. Iatrogenic injuries are often seen in high-volume surgical centres performing complex abdominal surgery. Appropriate radiological investigation is necessary to stratify patients for urgent surgical intervention or conservative measures. Assessment and treatment options are discussed in the following article.
Thomas Watcyn-Jones MB ChB is a final year core surgical trainee on the Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital surgical rotation, London, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared
Sanjeev Pathak MD (Leic) FRCS (Eng) is a Specialist Registrar in Urology at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared
Patrick Cutinha MD FRCS (Urol) is a Consultant Urological Surgeon at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. Conflicts of interest: none declared