Open AccessTesticular torsion on the Jos Plateau
Author(s) -
B T Ugwu,
NK Dakum,
SJ Yiltok,
N Mbah,
J. N. Legbo,
A F Uba,
K. S. Orkar,
VM Ramyil
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
west african journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0189-160X
DOI - 10.4314/wajm.v22i2.27929
Subject(s) - medicine , testicular atrophy , testicular torsion , scrotum , surgery , incidence (geometry) , male to female , scrotal pain , atrophy , retrospective cohort study , physics , optics
In order to determine the pattern and the factors that influenced outcome, we retrospectively studied fifty-seven patients with torsion of the testis admitted to the Jos University Teaching hospital between August 1993 and July 2001. The age ranged from 2 to 55 years with a mean of 22.7 years. Majority (79%) of the patients were in the second and third decades of life. The main suspected precipitating factors in this study were cold weather and scrotal trauma: in 28% of the cases no cause could be ascertained. Eight (14%) patients presented within 4 hours and 35 (61%) presented after 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Both sides were equally affected. Testicular pain, retraction and scrotal swelling were the most common presenting complaints. The highest incidence 65%) occurred between November and February when the weather on the Jos plateau is coldest. At surgery, 34 (60%) patients were found to have associated congenital anomalies; in 22 (39%) patients, the testis was non-viable. There was no mortality in this series and the complications were superficial wound infection (14%), testicular atrophy (7%) and sub-fertility (16%). High index of suspicion in a patient with acute scrotum, prompt and effective surgery will improve testicular salvage.