No. 1 09/11/2015 | Subject: Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion in young males is over-represented in the EMER database. Currently, 3% of incidents (7/235) involved a probable testicular torsion. All incidents in the EMER database are coded into categories by an expert panel. The most common incident categories in reports involving torsion is delay to treatment, conflict between teams and diagnostic error.

The management of testicular torsion is rapid surgical exploration to maximise the chance of a positive outcome. The patient should be given analgesia and kept fasted. Ultrasound scanning should not delay surgical exploration.¹ Referral and treatment pathways should be established by the ED Leadership team in advance.

Patient Safety Alert No. 1 09/11/2015. Follow us on Twitter at @EmergMedER Information obtained from Emergency Medicine Events Register - an online, anonymous incident reporting system for Emergency Department doctors in Australia and New Zealand. Contact [email protected]. Reference: 1.Deakin,A. and Shepherd,M.(2015), 'Knickers in a twist'. Emergency Medicine Australasia. doi; 10.1111/1742-6723.12473