Effect of Pediatric Testicular Torsion on Testicular Function in the Short Term

Purpose: To evaluate short-term testicular outcome after torsion in children. Methods: Fifty-four children and adolescents were evaluated after 6 months of the operation for testicular torsion. Testicular volume was measured and circulating Inhibin B, FSH, LH and testosterone levels were checked. Results: Delay from the onset of symptoms to surgery was shorter in the orchidopexy group (n = 47), than in the orchiectomy group (n = 7, p = 0.001). In the orchidopexy group, the median volume of the affected testis was 83% (IQR 43-104) of the contralateral testis (p = 0.002). The plasma hormone levels in orchidopexy and orchiectomy groups were: 148 ng/l (IQR 108-208) vs. 129 ng/l (IQR, 123-138, p = 0.269) for Inhibin B; 4.5 IU/L (IQR2.6-6.9) vs. 11.7 IU/L (IQR 4.3-12.8, p = 0.037) for FSH; 2.9 IU/L (IQR 1.3-3.7) vs. 4.8 (IQR 3.0-5.6, p = 0.066) for LH; and 13.6 nM(IQR 6.5-18.0) vs. 14.5 nM(IQR 6.7-15.9, p = 0.834) for testosterone. The association between FSH, LH as well as testosterone levels was most clear with the volume of the contralateral testis (Rho = 0.574, p < 0.001, Rho = 0.621, p = 0.001 and Rho 0.718, p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusions: Testicular function is mainly dependent on the volume of contralateral testicle after testicular torsion. However, testis preserving surgery tends to maintain better function than orchiectomy. Type of study: Retrospective review. (c) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.