American College of Surgeons Releases New Best Practices Guidelines for Genitourinary Injuries

Strategic Insights -

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has issued new guidelines for the management of genitourinary (GU) injuries, aiming to improve care for patients with traumatic injuries to the kidneys, bladder, ureters, urethra, and genitalia. These injuries can lead to significant morbidity, including long-term urinary, renal, and sexual health complications. The new guidelines offer comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to improve care, with special considerations for pediatric and older adult patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • Renal trauma guidelines recommend nonoperative management for hemodynamically stable patients, even with high-grade injuries, and emphasize the use of angioembolization to control bleeding.
  • Bladder and urethral injuries require detailed imaging protocols, including CT cystography and retrograde urethrogram, and specialized surgical repair, especially in cases of pelvic fracture-associated injuries.
  • Ureteral injuries are managed with recommendations for endoscopic and surgical repair, focusing on preserving renal function.
  • Genital trauma guidelines cover the management of penile, scrotal, and female genital injuries, including bite wounds and fractures.
  • The guidelines also provide tailored recommendations for pediatric and older adult patients, addressing unique social, anatomical, and physiological considerations.
  • The multidisciplinary panel of experts who developed the guidelines includes urologists, trauma surgeons, and military medical professionals, incorporating evidence from both civilian and military trauma care.
  • The authors of the guidelines took care to include considerations for special populations, such as pediatrics and geriatrics, to ensure equitable and effective care for all trauma patients.

Statistics:

  • Up to 10% of trauma patients experience genitourinary injuries, which can lead to significant morbidity.
  • The new guidelines emphasize the use of angioembolization to control bleeding in renal trauma patients, which effectively reduces complications.
  • 90,000 members compose the American College of Surgeons, making it the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

Sources:

  • The American College of Surgeons (ACS). (2025). American College of Surgeons Releases New Best Practices Guidelines for Management of Genitourinary Injuries. Retrieved from https://www.facs.org/media-center/press-releases/2025/american-college-of-surgeons-releases-new-best-practices-guidelines-for-management-of-genitourinary-injuries/