Testicular torsion on the Jos Plateau

• Published in: West African journal of medicine Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 120 - 123
• Main Authors: Ugwu, B T, Dakum, N K, Yiltok, S J, Mbah, N, Legbo, J N, Uba, A F, Orkar, K S, Ramyil, V M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nigeria 01.06.2003
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Anesthesia - methods; Child; Child, Preschool; Hospitals, University; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Nigeria - epidemiology; Population Surveillance; Precipitating Factors; Retrospective Studies; Seasons; Spermatic Cord Torsion - diagnosis; Spermatic Cord Torsion - epidemiology; Spermatic Cord Torsion - etiology; Spermatic Cord Torsion - therapy; Time Factors; Nigeria
• ISSN: 0189-160X

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.