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Protection from scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer users
Yefim Sheynkin1, Robert Welliver, Andrew Winer
1Department of Urology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8093, USA. ysheynkin@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Objective:
To evaluate methods of prevention of scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer (LC) users.
Design:
Experimental study.
Setting:
University hospital.
Patient(S):
Twenty-nine healthy male volunteers.
Intervention(S):
Right and left scrotal temperature and LC and lap pad temperatures were recorded during three separate 60-minute sessions using a working LC in a laptop position: session 1, sitting with closely approximated legs; session 2, sitting with closely approximated legs with a lap pad below the working LC; and session 3, sitting with legs apart at a 70°angle with a lap pad below the working LC.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Scrotal temperature elevation.
Result(S):
Scrotal temperature increased significantly regardless of leg position or use of a lap pad. However, it was significantly lower in session 3 (1.41 °C ± 0.66 °C on the left and 1.47 °C ± 0.62 °C on the right) than in session 2 (2.18 °C ± 0.69 °C and 2.06 °C ± 0.72 °C) or session 1 (2.31 °C ± 0.96 °C and 2.56 °C ± 0.91 °C). A scrotal temperature elevation of 1 °C was reached at 11 minutes in session 1, 14 minutes in session 2, and 28 minutes in session 3.
Conclusion(S):
Sitting position with closely approximated legs is the major cause of scrotal hyperthermia. Scrotal shielding with a lap pad does not protect from scrotal temperature elevation. Prevention of scrotal hyperthermia in LC users presently is not feasible. However, scrotal hyperthermia may be reduced by a modified sitting position (legs apart) and significantly shorter use of LC.
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