[Prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy in patients with testicular torsion]

The aim of the study was to examine the recommendations for prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy in patients presenting with unilateral testicular torsion in Denmark. A questionnaire was mailed to the 61 surgical departments treating acute urological patients. Prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy was performed in 60 of the 61 departments. Twenty-eight departments routinely performed a combined ipsilateral and contralateral operation. In 20 departments the contralateral procedure was performed immediately in the case of a vital ipsilateral testis, but delayed a median of five (3-12) weeks in the case of a necrotic testis. In seven departments the contralateral orchiopexy was routinely performed a median of 10 (2-12) weeks after the ipsilateral operation, and in the remaining five departments the time of the contralateral procedure was determined by the surgeon. In conclusion prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy was widely used in patients with unilateral testicular torsion, but the timing of the procedure varied.