Testicular torsion - symptomatology and outcomes of 101 scrotal explorations

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.

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.

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 (χ² = 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%(χ² = 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.

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.