Renal trauma in Australian rules football: an institutional experience

BACKGROUND: Australian rules football is the most popular team sport in Australia. Literature on severe abdominal injuries in this sport is limited. The present study aims to review cases of renal trauma in Australian football at our institution. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed. All men admitted to our institution with renal trauma or haematuria associated with Australian football from July 1995 to July 2001 were analysed. RESULTS: There were 13 cases of renal trauma; two were grade V injuries requiring nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Renal injury will be intermittently encountered owing to the popularity of Australian football. Renal injuries are often difficult to assess and early recognition, management and referral to a district hospital is crucial.