Urología médica y quirúrgica
Acceso abierto

abstracto

Management of Acute Scrotum in Children: Experience in a Developing Country

Diouf Cheikh, Mbaye Oumar, Seye Cheikh, Diop Mohamed, Sangare Mory, Mbaye Cheikh Tidiane,Sarr Assane, Baro Allassane, DialloIbrahima

Objective: Evaluate the management of acute scrotum in children in Ziguinchor.

Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 10 years from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022, covering patients aged 0 to 15 years received and treated for acute scrotum in the different surgical departments of Ziguinchor.

Results: We collected 86 cases. The average age was 12 years with extremes ranging from 2 months to 15 years. The majority of patients resided in Ziguinchor, i.e. 62% of cases. Eight percent (8%) of our patients were born preterm. Painful scrotal swelling was the main reason for consultation, i.e. 70% of cases. 43.35% of cases were received in specialized consultation after 72 hours of evolution. The right topography was predominant, i.e. 53.49% of cases. The acute scrotum was associated with digestive signs (12.79%) and urinary signs (9.3%). The patients presented in good general condition (97% of cases), pallor (11% of cases) and fever. Ultrasound was performed in 45.35% of cases. Testicle torsion was the most common cause of acute scrotum; it was found in 37% of cases. All our patients benefited from medical treatment, reduction by taxi was successful in 8 patients, surgical procedures consisted of reduction closure of the peritoneovagimal canal, detorsion orchidopexy, orchiectomy. The short-term outcome was favorable in 88.37% and the duration of hospitalization was less than 72 hours in 75% of cases.

Conclusion: Acute scrotum is common in adolescents. It constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. The etiologies are dominated by torsion of the spermatic cord. It is imperative to see patients operated on for this pathology again in adulthood to assess long-term complications.