Testicular torsion: needless testicular loss can be prevented

The risk of losing the testis is an ever present threat in patients with testicular torsion, who delay before presenting to the surgeon. A retrospective study was carried out to audit patients with acute scrotal pain who came to the Trans Ekulu Hospital Enugu, the promptness of offering them surgical treatment and the results.

Patients operated upon for suspected torsion of the testis at Trans Ekulu Hospital Enugu over a 10-year period (1993-2003) were studied. The intervals between the onset of scrotal pain and presentation at the hospital were recorded. The duration of scrotal pain, findings on examination of the scrotum, time of starting surgical operation, and the number of viable testes seen intraoperatively were documented.

Twenty-two patients were found to have undergone emergency scrotal exploration and their ages ranged from 10 to 38 years with a mean of 22.7 years. Eight of these patients came within 3 hours of onset of scrotal pain, one patient came within the 6 hours, and the rest came late. These patients were operated upon shortly after arrival at the hospital. Sixteen patients (72.7%) had testicular torsion, 12 testes were viable, and 4 nonviable.

Majority of our patients presented reasonably early. Those who had testicular loss came late. However, some who came late still had viable testes.