Mid- To Long-Term Evaluation of Hormonal Function, Testicular Ultrasonographic Features, and Erectile Function in Children with A History of Testicular Torsion.

PURPOSE: Testicular torsion is an emergency, and its long-term effects on fertility, hormonal function, and sexual function remain uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of surgical treatment for testicular torsion on hormonal function, testicular ultrasonographic features, and erectile function.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients surgically treated for testicular torsion at Labbafinejad Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from 2014 to 2022. Semen analysis and Doppler testicular ultrasonography were performed, and serum samples were collected to measure testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were assessed. Fifty-four patients (75.0%) underwent orchiopexy, and 18 (25.0%) underwent orchiectomy. Patients in the orchiectomy group had higher luteinizing hormone (P < 0.001) and follicle-stimulating hormone (P = 0.009) levels and lower testosterone levels (P = 0.008), sperm counts (P < 0.001), progressive sperm motility (P = 0.002), and normal sperm morphology (P = 0.001) than patients who underwent orchiopexy. International Index of Erectile Function scores did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.730). In the orchiopexy group, 32 patients (59.3%) had small testes.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment for testicular torsion affects hormonal and ultrasonographic testicular findings; however, it does not appear to have a remarkable effect on erectile function.