New insights about prognosis of Spermatic Cord Torsion

Abstract

Spermatic Cord Torsion (SCT) is a serious surgical emergency. Prospective studies regarding the prognosis of the torsed testis lack in the global literature. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to increase the risk of saving the torsed testis. Testicular salvage can be predicted by the duration of symptoms, along with the degree of twisting and the ultrasound findings, regarding the homogeneity of the testicular parenchyma. The "golden window" to salvage the testicular function is suggested to be at 4-8 h, after the symptoms' onset. As the time passes, the ischemia is settled and the risk of necrosis is increased. It is generally accepted, that the possibilities of conducting orchiectomy are increased when not promptly intervening after the symptoms' onset. A few studies, tried to describe the impact of SCT on long- term fertility. The aim of this study is to collect them and elucidate with some general perceptions on this topic.

Keywords: Testis; fertility; pediatric population; prognosis; torsion.