Scrotal Trauma Treatment and Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Urology
• Male Reproductive Health

Background:

• Genitourinary tract injuries represent 3-10% of trauma cases.
• Scrotal injuries constitute 71% of male genital trauma, predominantly in males aged 10-30.
• Scrotal trauma, whether blunt or penetrating, can impact fertility and requires specific management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence and types of scrotal trauma (blunt vs. penetrating).
• To compare management approaches, hospital stay duration, and orchiectomy rates between blunt and penetrating scrotal injuries.
• To assess outcomes in adult patients with scrotal trauma.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of adult patients with scrotal trauma.
• Inclusion criteria: patients presenting to a Level I trauma center from 2000-2022.
• Data collected: trauma type, management, hospital stay, and orchiectomy necessity.

Main Results:

• 102 patients included; 56 blunt trauma, 46 penetrating trauma.
• Penetrating trauma patients were more likely to be admitted (69.6% vs. 42.9%).
• Surgical intervention was more frequent for penetrating injuries (63.0% vs. 21.4%), but orchiectomy rates did not differ significantly.

Conclusions:

• Blunt scrotal trauma was slightly more common but not statistically significant compared to penetrating trauma.
• Blunt scrotal trauma was associated with a higher rate of conservative management.
• Further research is essential to elucidate the long-term effects of scrotal trauma on male fertility.