Prevalence and Management of Spermatic Cord Torsion (SCT): A Five-Year Review in Souro Sanou University Hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

Introduction

Spermatic cord torsion (SCT) is a rare urological emergency that can jeopardize the fertility of the patient. Our study aimed to investigate the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of SCT in Souro Sanou University Teaching Hospital.

Materials and Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, in the emergency surgical and urology division of Souro Sanou University Hospital.

Results

The annual frequency of SCT was 4.4 patients/year. The mean age of the patients was 17.82 ± 6.74 years. Painful swelling of the hemi-scrotum was the main presenting symptom. The torsion involved the left spermatic cord in 50% of cases and both spermatic cords in 5% of cases. The mean time of symptoms before presentation was 78.8 hours ± 153 hours. Only 27.3% of patients presented before the 6th hour after the onset of pain. The average time from presentation to surgical intervention was 5.6 hours ± 5 hours. Orchiectomy was performed in 11 patients (47.8%). The average hospital stay was 3.1 ± 1.4 days.

Conclusion

SCT is a rare urological emergency. The prognosis depends on the duration and degree of torsion. A high orchidectomy rate can be observed with a delay in presentation.

Keywords:

• spermatic cord torsion
• emergency
• orchiectomy

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this study.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding to report.