Testicular damage after surgical groin exploration for elective herniorrhaphy

Controversy exists whether to explore the contralateral groin in boys during unilateral herniorrhaphy. Proponents claim there is minimal risk of injury to the cord structures and developing testicle with contralateral exploration. However, findings have shown testicular atrophy occurred in 1% to 2% of patients after herniorrhaphy, and vasal damage is possible after routine manipulation of the spermatic cord. This study investigated the effect of routine surgical exploration of the prepubertal groin on testicular development and future fertility.

Twenty-four prepubertal Wistar rats were divided equally into 2 groups. Group 1 (sham) rats underwent unilateral inguinoscrotal incision only. Group 2 (experimental) rats underwent unilateral inguinoscrotal exploration with manipulation of the cord structures as in human inguinal exploration. At maturation, the fertility and fecundity of the males were assessed. After mating, testes were examined for mass, volume, mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD), and mean testicular biopsy score (MTBS). The vasa were examined for histological injury and vasal diameter. Statistical comparisons were made by paired t test and Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

There was a difference between the volumes of the testes when comparing the operative and nonoperative side of the 2 groups (experimental, deltavol = -0.063+/-0.123; sham, deltavol = +0.067+/-0.137; P = .029). There also was a trend toward a smaller testicular mass when comparing the two sides (experimental, deltamass = -0.045+/-0.101; sham, Amass = +0.048+/-0.123; P = .057) but did not reach significance. The MSTD and MTBS were similar between the ipsilateral and contralateral testes in both groups. Likewise, the MSTD and MTBS were similar when comparing the 2 groups. All male rats in both groups were fertile. The number of offspring produced and the number of female rats impregnated were similar between the 2 groups. There was no histological evidence of vasal injury in any of the experimental spermatic cords. The vasal diameters were similar between the 2 groups.

Surgical manipulation of the prepubertal spermatic cord imparts a small, but statistically significant morphological change in testicular size without a deleterious effect on testicular development, fertility, or fecundity.