A nationwide epidemiological study of testicular torsion in Korea

J Korean Med Sci. 2014 Dec;29(12):1684-7. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.12.1684. Epub 2014 Nov 21.

Abstract

Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency in the field of urology. Knowledge of the epidemiology and pathophysiology is significant to an urologist. However, the epidemiology of testicular torsion in Korea has not been studied. We performed a nationwide epidemiological study to improve knowledge of the epidemiology of testicular torsion. From 2006-2011, the Korean Urologic Association began the patient registry service. The annual number of patients with testicular torsion from 2006 to 2011 were 225, 250, 271, 277, 345, and 210, respectively. The overall incidence of testicular torsion in males was 1.1 per 100,000; However, the incidence in men less than 25 yr old was 2.9 per 100,000. Adolescents showed the highest incidence. Total testicular salvage rate was 75.7% in this survey. There was no geographic difference of testicular salvage rate. Minimizing the possibility of orchiectomy for testicular torsion is important to improve public awareness to expedite presentation and provider education to improve diagnosis and surgery.

Keywords: Incidence; Orchiectomy; Orchiopexy; Spermatic Cord Torsion.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Korea / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Orchiectomy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / diagnosis
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / epidemiology*
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult