To identify the rate at which testicular torsion occurs in a lateral direction and identify any predictors of direction of testicular rotation and orchiectomy.

We performed a retrospective review of 104 cases of emergent scrotal exploration performed for testicular torsion by 3 pediatric urologists from 2003 to 2017. Patients with neonatal torsion, negative scrotal exploration, or exploration for presumed intermittent testicular torsion were excluded. Univariable logistic regression was performed to assess if any factors predicted direction of testicular rotation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of testicular salvage.

Of 104 cases of acute testicular torsion, information regarding the direction of testicular rotation was available in 81 patients. Lateral testicular rotation occurred in 38 cases (46%). No factors were found to be predictive of direction of torsion. Orchiectomy for testicular nonviability was performed in 50 of 104 cases (48%). On univariable analysis, younger age (p = .002), absence of gastrointestinal symptoms (P = .02), time to exploration (P < .001), testicular size differential on ultrasound (p = .002), absence of hydrocele (P = .01), abnormal ultrasound echotexture (P < .001), and degree of torsion (P = .04) were associated with orchiectomy. With the exception of absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, all predictors of orchiectomy remained statistically significant on multivariable analysis.

Testicular rotation occurs in a lateral direction in 46% of cases. Lateral manual detorsion should be performed only with awareness of the potential for increasing the degree of testicular rotation. New independent predictors of testicular salvage were identified.