title: The current state of surgical practice for neonatal torsion: a survey of pediatric urologists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The evaluation and treatment of perinatal testicular torsion is controversial. We performed a survey to assess practice patterns among pediatric urologists regarding treatment of perinatal torsion.
  
  
  METHODS
  An internet survey was administered to members of two pediatric urology societies. Cases of prenatal, postnatal and bilateral prenatal torsion were outlined. Respondents were asked about use of ultrasound, timing of surgery, incision, and management of the contralateral testicle. A case with a non-palpable testicle and blind ending vessels was also presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We had 121 respondents. In a neonate with prenatal torsion, 34% percent would operate immediately, 26% urgently within 72 h, 28% electively and 12% would not explore; 93% would perform a contralateral orchiopexy. In a neonate with postnatal torsion, 93% would operate immediately, 5% urgently, 1% electively and 1% would not explore; 96% would perform a contralateral orchiopexy. In both cases, 75% would use a scrotal incision and 25% would use an inguinal incision. When presented with bilateral prenatal torsion, 90% would operate immediately, 1% urgently, 2% electively and 7% would not operate. In the case of a non-palpable testicle with blind ending vessels 28% would perform a contralateral orchiopexy, 12% would explore the ipsilateral canal for a "nubbin", 56% would perform no intervention and 4% would perform some other form of management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We documented variability of timing for intervention of prenatal torsion and confirmed that most view postnatal torsion as a surgical emergency. Most perform a contralateral orchiopexy for prenatal torsion despite the fact that most cases are extravaginal. The surgical approach via a scrotal incision appears to be preferred at this time.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, 1600 7th Avenue S, Birmingham, AL 35233-1711, USA. kristin.broderick@ccc.uab.edu
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Broderick
authors.forename: Benjamin G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: C D Anthony
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Herndon
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kitchens
mesh_terms: D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000601:surgery*; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Perinatal testicular torsion; Postnatal torsion; Prenatal torsion