Early exploration of acute scrotum in children

Seo, Byung Wook; Park, Choal Hee; Kim, Kwang Sae

Abstract

A retrospective analysis was made to evaluate the value of early surgical exploration of acute scrotum in 19 children. Testicular torsion (9 cases ) was the most frequent cause followed by epididymitis(4), hematocele(2). appendix testis torsion(2), infected hydrocele(1) and benign cystic teratoma(1). The age distribution of testicular torsion showed a biphasic pattern, neonatal and pubertal and 3 out of 9 torsed testes showed transverse lie in standing position on physical examination. The pyuria was present only in l out of 4 cases with epididymitis and leukocytosis was found in 7 cases, 6 with testicular torsion and 1 with epididymitis. Preoperative ultrasonographic diagnoses were correct in 2 out of 4 cases, 3 with testiculer torsion and 1 with epididymitis. Testicular salvage was possible in 3 torsed testes if surgery was performed within 14 hours from the onset of the symptom. In summary. testicular torsion was the most frequent cause of acute scrotum in children and early surgical exploration was necessary to improve the salvage of torsed testes.