A 25-year-old man presents with sudden onset scrotal pain and high-riding testis with absent cremasteric reflex. The clinical diagnosis is testicular torsion. Doppler US confirms absent intratesticular blood flow. What is the maximum ischemia time within which salvage rates remain >90%?
- A 2 hours
- B 4 hours
- C 6 hours ✓
- D 8 hours
Correct answer: C. 6 hours
Explanation
Testicular salvage rates in testicular torsion are time-dependent: within 6 hours, salvage rate approaches 90–100%; 6–12 hours, ~50%; 12–24 hours, ~10%; beyond 24 hours, <5%. This is a surgical emergency — immediate scrotal exploration, detorsion, and bilateral orchidopexy (to prevent contralateral torsion, given underlying bell-clapper deformity is bilateral in 40%). Manual detorsion ('opening a book' maneuver) can be attempted but must not delay surgery.
Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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