Testicular fixation following torsion of the spermatic cord--does it guarantee prevention of recurrent torsion events?

PURPOSE: Patients with history of testicular torsion who have undergone orchiopexy may rarely present with acute scrotum due to recurrent episodes of torsion. Most of the reports in the literature regarding this scenario refer to the era when absorbable sutures were used for testicular fixation. Herein, we review our experience in recent years, focusing upon the surgical technique and sutures' material.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 2003, 179 patients were operated on at our institute with the clinical diagnosis of unilateral testicular torsion. They ranged in age between neonates to 45 years old (average age 18). In a comprehensive retrospective study we managed to locate 8 patients who experienced recurrent intravaginal testicular torsion following previous fixation performed in our institute.

RESULTS: The patients who experienced repeat torsion have initially presented at the mean age of 18.5 years old (range 12 to 30) with unilateral twisted testicle (left 3, right 5). Urgent explorations were generally performed, apart from in 2 cases that underwent spontaneous detorsion which was followed by an elective surgery. Testicular fixation was conducted by suturing of the tunica albuginea to the dartos layer by 2 sutures at each side, using chromic 3-zero in the 3 more early cases, followed by the usage of polyglactin 3-zero stitches in 4 subsequent cases and 3 sutures of polypropylene 4-zero for each testicle, thereafter, in the most recent case. The patients presented with repeat torsion, 0.5 to 23 years subsequently (average 7 years), involving either the ipsilateral testicle in 4 cases or the contralateral gonad in 4.

CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent torsion following previous testicular fixation may appear many years following the primary procedure, even in cases in which either polyglactin or, notwithstanding, polypropylene sutures have been applied, in accordance with the common practice used in the last 2 decades. Increased awareness regarding this possibility is imperative for early diagnosis and prevention of testicular loss.