Evaluation of acute scrotum in our consecutive operated cases: a one-center study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical history, demographic data, surgical exploration findings, and final diagnoses in all young males presenting with acute scrotum to our center.

Materials and methods: This was a descriptive-retrospective study in which all consecutive cases of acute scrotum treated in our department from March 2008 to March 2012 were evaluated.

Results: A total of 116 cases were included in the study. Out of these cases, 100 cases underwent surgical exploration, and the remaining 16 cases were managed conservatively. Our eligible cases were divided into three groups: the testicular torsion (TT) group (68%); the torsion of the appendix testis (AT) group (20%); and the epididymo-orchitis (EO) group (9%). Testicular preservation was achieved in 39 cases of the TT group, while due to delayed referral, orchiectomy was performed in 29 cases. Thus, our testicular salvage rate was 57.5% and missed testicular torsion rate was 42.5%.

Conclusion: It was observed that our testicular salvage rate was lower than the expected figures published in the literature. This is may be attributed to different causes, including delayed referral or presentation of acute scrotum cases, inadequate knowledge of the general practitioners working in emergency departments, or poor knowledge of parents.

Keywords: epididymo-orchitis; missed testicular torsion; testicular appendage; testicular salvage rate; testicular torsion.