Testicular exocrine malfunction after torsion

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Andrology
• Urology

Background:

• Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
• Long-term sequelae of unilateral testicular torsion on testicular function are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term exocrine and endocrine functions of the testis after unilateral torsion.
• To assess the impact of torsion duration and treatment on testicular function.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 67 patients with a history of unilateral testicular torsion.
• Assessment of testicular atrophy, seminal analysis, and serum hormone levels (luteinizing hormone, prolactin, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone).

Main Results:

• Testicular atrophy occurred in 46 of 54 patients after orchidopexy, correlated with torsion duration.
• Abnormal seminal analysis was observed in 86% of patients, with low sperm counts linked to longer torsion duration.
• Serum hormone levels were generally within normal limits, indicating preserved endocrine function.

Conclusions:

• Unilateral testicular torsion leads to bilateral exocrine dysfunction in most cases.
• Endocrine testicular function is generally preserved despite significant exocrine impairment.