Public awareness of testicular torsion is lacking in Edmonton

Authors

  • Neel Phaterpekar University of Alberta
  • Darcie Kiddoo
  • Daniel Keefe
  • Sana Samadi
  • Troy Turner
  • Peter Metcalfe

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.9066

Keywords:

Testicular Torsion, Education, Public Awareness, Urology, Pediatrics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The time from symptom onset to intervention dictates morbidity in testicular torsion (TT). Delayed presentation negatively impacts surgical outcomes and poor knowledge about TT is hypothesized to be a potential cause of delay. Our study characterizes baseline public awareness rates among families in Edmonton and assesses the association between awareness and TT outcomes.

METHODS: Patients and their caregivers completed surveys assessing TT awareness. Families were surveyed in two groups: those who presented with TT and age-matched controls. Affected families gave additional information about symptoms, time to notify parents, and present to the hospital. Outcomes were assessed at followup and through medical record review.

RESULTS: Of 61 families, 18 (29.5%) patients and 22 (36.1%) parents had heard of TT. Among TT-affected patients (n=30), time to report symptoms (3.2 vs. 20.5 hours, p<0.01) and to arrive at hospital (3.0 vs. 20.8 hours, p<0.01) was significantly longer for patients requiring orchiectomy. Total time (odds ratio [OR] 0.992, p=0.01) and pain (OR 0.904, p=0.05) were associated with outcome. No differences in awareness were seen between patients who underwent orchiopexy vs. orchiectomy (23.8% vs. 25.0%, p>0.99).

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that most Edmonton families have never heard of TT and that the pre-admission interval constitutes a substantial proportion of delays in surgery. Although time and pain ratings were associated with outcomes in TT, further evidence is required to demonstrate that awareness impacts outcomes significantly.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2025-05-16

How to Cite

Phaterpekar, N., Kiddoo, D., Keefe, D., Samadi, S., Turner, T. ., & Metcalfe, P. . (2025). Public awareness of testicular torsion is lacking in Edmonton. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 19(9), E301–6. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.9066

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 9 (2025): CUAJ September

Section

Original Research

License

You, the Author(s), assign your copyright in and to the Article to the Canadian Urological Association. This means that you may not, without the prior written permission of the CUA:

  • Post the Article on any Web site
  • Translate or authorize a translation of the Article
  • Copy or otherwise reproduce the Article, in any format, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so
  • Copy or otherwise reproduce portions of the Article, including tables and figures, beyond what is permitted under Canadian copyright law, or authorize others to do so.

The CUA encourages use for non-commercial educational purposes and will not unreasonably deny any such permission request.

You retain your moral rights in and to the Article. This means that the CUA may not assert its copyright in such a way that would negatively reflect on your reputation or your right to be associated with the Article.

The CUA also requires you to warrant the following:

  • That you are the Author(s) and sole owner(s), that the Article is original and unpublished and that you have not previously assigned copyright or granted a licence to any other third party;
  • That all individuals who have made a substantive contribution to the article are acknowledged;
  • That the Article does not infringe any proprietary right of any third party and that you have received the permissions necessary to include the work of others in the Article; and
  • That the Article does not libel or violate the privacy rights of any third party.