Testicular oximetry: a new method for the assessment of tissue perfusion and viability following torsion and detorsion.

This study evaluated the use of a polarographic surface PO2 electrode to assess testicular perfusion and viability following torsion and detorsion. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups and subjected to unilateral testicular torsion and detorsion of varying degrees and durations. Rats subjected to sham torsion or 720 degrees torsion did not show significant decreases in testicular PO2 after 15 minutes, whereas those subjected to 1,080 degrees torsion or spermatic cord ligation uniformly decreased their testicular PO2 to 0 mm Hg within 10 minutes. Testicular PO2 values were similar in rats subjected to 60 minutes of 720 degrees torsion followed by detorsion and those undergoing 15 minutes of 1,080 degrees torsion and detorsion. Rats subjected to breathing 100% oxygen uniformly increased their testicular PO2 to an average of more than twice room-air values. However, rats subjected to 1,080 degrees torsion for 6 hours followed by detorsion did not increase their testicular PO2 when subjected to breathing 100% oxygen, whereas those subjected to 720 degrees torsion for 6 hours followed by detorsion did increase their testicular PO2 when subjected to breathing 100% oxygen. The latter rats did not show microscopic changes associated with acute testicular infarction, whereas the former did.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)