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Context Acute testicular torsion is a common urological emergency. Accepted practice is surgical exploration, detorsion, and orchidopexy for a salvageable testis. Objective To critically evaluate the methods of orchidopexy and their outcomes with a view to determining the optimal surgical technique. Evidence acquisition This review protocol was published via PROSPERO [CRD42016043165] and conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL databases were searched using the following terms: “orchidopexy”, “fixation”, “exploration”, “torsion”, “scrotum”, and variants. Article screening was performed by two reviewers independently. The primary outcome was retorsion rate of the ipsilateral testis following orchidopexy. Secondary outcomes included testicular atrophy and fertility. Evidence synthesis To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on this topic. The search yielded 2257 abstracts. Five studies (n = 138 patients) were included. All five techniques differed in incision and/or type of suture and/or point(s) of fixation. Postoperative complications were reported in one study, and included scrotal abscess in 9.1% and stitch abscess in 4.5%. The contralateral testis was fixed in 57.6% of cases. Three studies reported follow-up duration (range 6–31 wk). No study reported any episodes of ipsilateral retorsion. In the studies reporting ipsilateral atrophy rate, this ranged from 9.1% to 47.5%. Fertility outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures were not reported in any studies. Conclusions There is limited evidence in favour of any one surgical technique for acute testicular torsion. During the consent process for scrotal exploration, uncertainties in long-term harms should be discussed. This review highlights the need for an interim consensus on surgical approach until robust studies examining the effects of an operative approach on clinical and fertility outcomes are available. Patient summary Twisting of blood supply to the testis, termed testicular torsion, is a urological emergency. Testicular torsion is treated using an operation to untwist the cord that contains the blood vessels. If the testis is still salvageable, surgery can be performed to prevent further torsion. The method that is used to prevent further torsion varies. We reviewed the literature to assess the outcomes of using various surgical techniques to fix the twisting of the testis. Our review shows that there is limited evidence in favour of any one technique.

Background Elective treatment of ureteric stones is needed after emergency drainage of urosepsis. Objective We wanted to look at the outcomes of elective ureteroscopic stone treatment in patients with prior sepsis and emergency drainage via retrograde ureteric stent (RUS) or percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). Design, setting, and participants Data of all patients who underwent elective ureteroscopy (URS) for stone disease over 5 yr (March 2012–December 2016) were prospectively collected. Intervention Elective URS following previous emergency RUS or PCN. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Outcomes were collated for consecutive patients who underwent emergency drainage for urosepsis secondary to stone disease, followed by elective URS. Data was collected regarding patient demographics, stone parameters, and clinical outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Results and limitations In total, 76 patients underwent 82 elective procedures (six underwent bilateral URS) with a male to female ratio of 1:2 and a mean age of 57 yr. Emergency decompression was achieved via RUS in 63 (83%) and PCN in 13 (17%) patients. A positive urine culture on presentation was obtained in 26 (34%) patients, and 27 (36%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The mean single and overall stone size was 8.6 (2–23) and 10.8 (2–32) mm, respectively. The mean operating time was 42 (5–129) min with stone-free rate (SFR) of 97% (n = 74). There were three (4%) complications in total, of which two patients developed urinary tract infection needing intravenous antibiotics (Clavien II) and a third developed sepsis (Clavien IV) needing ICU admission. There was no difference in ureteroscopic lithotripsy outcomes (operative time, complications, or SFR) on comparing initial RUS or PCN, admission to ICU or ward, positive or negative urine culture result, presence of single or multiple stones, and between American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade of patients. The ASA grade of patients was a significant predictor of day case procedures (p = 0.001). Conclusions Elective URS achieved excellent outcomes in patients who previously presented with obstructing calculi and sepsis needing emergency decompression. Overnight inpatient admission was needed in some patients with a higher ASA grade. Patient summary In this report, we look at the outcomes of planned ureteroscopy procedures for stone disease in patients with previous urosepsis. These patients with previous emergency drainage for urosepsis had excellent outcomes from their planned ureteroscopic surgery. This information will help in preoperative patient optimisation and counselling.