Management of neonatal testicular torsion

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of emergency exploration of neonatal torsion.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 27 neonates (30 affected testicles) in a 13-year period.

Of the 10 testicles that were explored and fixed within 6 hours of discovery 2 (20%) were normal at physical examination at 1 year of followup. Of the remaining 20 testicles 19 were removed. One patient was lost to followup after orchiopexy. No operative or perioperative complications were associated with emergency exploration.

Emergency exploration of neonatal torsion is safe and prudent, and may result in higher testicular salvage rates. Given reports of contralateral torsion, we also recommend contralateral orchiopexy.