Management of Testicular torsion in Mulago Hospital over a 5-year period

Abstract

A retrospective study of patients seen in Mulago Hospital with a clinical diagnosis  of testicular torsion between 1993 and 1997 inclusive was undertaken. There were a total of 102 cases of torsion of the testis. Their ages ranged between 16 and 20 years. Over 50% of the patients reported to the hospital more than 48 hours after the onset of their symptoms and in 75% of the cases, the testes were already gangrenous on admission. The management included exploration, derotation and fixation of both testes if found viable or orchidectomy and fixation of the contra lateral testis if gangrenous. The study showed that there is need for increased level of awareness of this disease among health workers, parents, teachers and adolescents if delay in diagnosis is to be avoided.

Key words: Testis, testicular, torsion, and management.