Testicular torsion - symptomatology and outcomes of 101 scrotal explorations

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to study the symptomatology of testicular torsion of patients operated in our hospital and their operative results in relation to the duration of symptoms. Materials and Methods: Data of all patients operated for acute scrotum at all ages over a 14 months’ time were collected from hospital records. Symptomatology and operative results were studied. Results: Out of 101 consecutive scrotal explorations done in this time, 63.4% of all scrotal explorations were testicular torsion ( n = 64). 22.8% were appendage torsion ( n = 23) and 13.9% were epididymo-orchitis ( n = 14). The peak age of testicular torsion was in the 11–15 years range and the left side is more common (65.6%). Symptoms of scrotal pain (92.2%), abdominal pain (18.8%), nausea/vomiting (18.8%), fever (9.4%), and urinary symptoms (3.1%) were seen in decreasing order of frequency. Among acute scrotum patients who had symptoms of nausea/vomiting or abdominal pain, testicular torsion was found to be significantly higher compared to those who did not have these symptoms (χ 2 = 0.044, P < 0.05). In all cases presented within 6 h of symptom onset, testicles were saved and salvage rates reduced with delay in presentation. The testicular salvage rates were 28.1% (18 out of 64 torsions). Patients below 18 years had more chance of going for orchiectomy than others (75% vs 66.7%). Patients who presented after 24 h had a statistically significantly lower salvage rate of 7.7% compared to those who presented within 24 h duration, 52.2%(χ 2 = 0.001, P < 0.05). Those with orchiopexy had a median duration of symptom of 6.5 h and the same for orchiectomy patients were 72 h. Our median symptom duration for testicular torsion was 36 h and it is higher than many other countries. Conclusions: Delay in presentation to the health-care facility is the major cause of poor salvage rates in the state and its improvement requires public health interventions and health education.