Patterns of Treatment of Accidental Genital Trauma in Girls

Study objective: To evaluate the characteristics of girls with accidental genital trauma (AGT) who can be managed in the emergency department (ED) vs the operating suite (OS).

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: ED at a children's hospital in a metropolitan area.

Participants: Girls aged 0-18 years with AGT.

Interventions and main outcome measures: Factors associated with need for evaluation and repair of AGT in the OS.

Results: A total of 359 girls were included in the analysis. The mean age was 6 ± 3 years. Most girls presented with pain and bleeding, 321/359 (89%). Straddle injury was the most common mechanism, 258/355 (73%). The most commonly injured site was the labia, 225/358 (63%) and the most common type of injury was laceration, 308/357 (86%). Factors significantly associated with treatment in the OS included older age, transfer from another institution, penetrating injuries, injuries involving the hymen/vagina/urethra/anus, and injuries larger than 3 cm in size. The odds of requiring general anesthesia in the OS were 5.5 times higher for injuries larger than 3 cm (95% confidence interval, 2.8-10.9; P < .0001) and 4.1 times greater if the patient was transferred from another facility (95% confidence interval, 1.3-13.3; P < .02).

Conclusion: Most AGT can be managed expectantly. Penetrating injuries, injuries to the hymen/vagina/urethra/anus, and injuries with a maximal size of 3 cm should be considered as indications for management in the OS. With adequate procedural sedation, most girls with minor injuries as a result of AGT can undergo a thorough examination and repair of AGT in the ED.