Cecilia Monteilh1, Rose Calixte2, Sathyraprasad Burjonrappa3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, NYU-Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA. 2. Department of Biostatistics, NYU-Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA. 3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, NYU-Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA. Electronic address: sathyabc@yahoo.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis seeks to discern the optimal management strategy in neonatal testicular torsion (NTT). METHODS: Reviewed all English-language articles published between 2005 and 2015 in Medline/Pubmed that had a defined diagnosis of NTT within the first thirty days of life, and discussed specific surgical and nonsurgical management. Exclusion criteria were non-English literature, case reports, case studies, and failure to clearly describe the management of NTT. Data from 9 studies were analyzed, individually and together as pooled data, using a random effect model with a random intercept to estimate the pooled proportions of interest. Results are presented with 95% confidence interval. All analyses were done in SAS 9.4®. RESULTS: 9 publications met criteria for this analysis with a total of 196 patients. Bilateral testicular torsions (n = 14) were less common as compared to right/left testicular torsion (n = 85/97). Asynchronous NTTs (n = 9) were more common than synchronous NTTs (n = 2). There was a higher incidence of NTT in neonates delivered by vaginal delivery (n = 110) as compared to those delivered by c-section (n = 25). Extravaginal torsion (n = 54) is far more common than intravaginal torsion (n = 2). Full-term neonates (n = 122) have a higher incidence of NTT as compared to preterm neonates (n = 9). A total of 15 testicles were salvaged. Of the salvaged testicles 2 were documented as prenatal, 10 postnatal and 3 were undocumented. A strategy of bilateral exploration allows for salvage of about 7% of ipsilateral testicles and prevent asynchronous torsion in about 4% of neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our population, between 8-12% of patients would benefit from bilateral exploration at the time of diagnosis. We recommend urgent bilateral exploration with orchiopexy of the contralateral testicle in order to avert anorchia. TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5 meta-synthesis (Evidence from systematic reviews of qualitative and descriptive studies).
OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis seeks to discern the optimal management strategy in neonatal testicular torsion (NTT). METHODS: Reviewed all English-language articles published between 2005 and 2015 in Medline/Pubmed that had a defined diagnosis of NTT within the first thirty days of life, and discussed specific surgical and nonsurgical management. Exclusion criteria were non-English literature, case reports, case studies, and failure to clearly describe the management of NTT. Data from 9 studies were analyzed, individually and together as pooled data, using a random effect model with a random intercept to estimate the pooled proportions of interest. Results are presented with 95% confidence interval. All analyses were done in SAS 9.4®. RESULTS: 9 publications met criteria for this analysis with a total of 196 patients. Bilateral testicular torsions (n = 14) were less common as compared to right/left testicular torsion (n = 85/97). Asynchronous NTTs (n = 9) were more common than synchronous NTTs (n = 2). There was a higher incidence of NTT in neonates delivered by vaginal delivery (n = 110) as compared to those delivered by c-section (n = 25). Extravaginal torsion (n = 54) is far more common than intravaginal torsion (n = 2). Full-term neonates (n = 122) have a higher incidence of NTT as compared to preterm neonates (n = 9). A total of 15 testicles were salvaged. Of the salvaged testicles 2 were documented as prenatal, 10 postnatal and 3 were undocumented. A strategy of bilateral exploration allows for salvage of about 7% of ipsilateral testicles and prevent asynchronous torsion in about 4% of neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our population, between 8-12% of patients would benefit from bilateral exploration at the time of diagnosis. We recommend urgent bilateral exploration with orchiopexy of the contralateral testicle in order to avert anorchia. TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5 meta-synthesis (Evidence from systematic reviews of qualitative and descriptive studies).