WMJ Vol 123 Issue 4: Scrotal Trauma Treatment and Outcomes

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Genitourinary tract injuries have been reported to account for 3% to 10% of trauma patients, and scrotal injuries have been reported to comprise 71% of male genital trauma. Scrotal trauma is particularly prevalent in males 10 to 30 years of age, thus posing a potential threat to fertility. Scrotal trauma can be blunt or penetrating in nature, and the mechanism of trauma can have an impact on the management and outcomes of this type of injury.


Methods: A retrospective chart review of adult patients who presented with scrotal trauma to a single large level I trauma center from January 1, 2000, to June 1, 2022, was conducted to assess the relative occurrence and type of trauma (blunt vs penetrating), as well as differences in the management, duration of hospital stay, and need for orchiectomy between these 2 types of injury.


Results: There were 102 patients included in this study, with an average age of 39.5 years (18.7-77.2 years). Fifty-six patients had blunt scrotal trauma, and 46 had penetrating scrotal injury. There was not a statistically significant difference in the percentages of blunt versus penetrating trauma (P = 0.3729). Patients with penetrating trauma were more likely to be inpatient than those with blunt trauma (69.6% vs 42.9%; P = 0.013; 95% CI, 0.062-0.473). A total of 61 patients were treated conservatively (44 and 17 patients in the blunt and penetrating trauma groups, respectively). Overall, 41 patients required surgical intervention: 12 who had blunt trauma and 29 who suffered penetrating injury. Surgical treatment was more common for penetrating trauma than for blunt trauma (63.0% vs 21.4%; P < 0.0001; 95% CI, 0.220-0.612). Eleven patients underwent orchiectomy – 4 from the blunt trauma group and 7 from the penetrating trauma group; the rate of orchiectomy was not significantly different between the 2 groups.


Conclusions: In this study, blunt scrotal trauma was slightly more common than penetrating injury, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Blunt scrotal trauma was associated with a higher rate of conservative treatment. Further study is needed to better understand the impact of scrotal trauma on future fertility.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this continuing education activity is healthcare professionals caring for the people of Wisconsin and beyond.

Learning Objectives

As a result of participating in this journal-based activity, healthcare team members will be able to:    

  1. Differentiate the management and treatment interventions for blunt and penetrating scrotal trauma
  2. Elaborate on the impact of scrotal trauma on future fertility
  3. Summarize the study results and their relevance to patient populations served by the learner's healthcare team
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 1.00 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration opens: 
05/22/2025
Course expires: 
05/21/2026
Cost:
$0.00
Part of: 
Wisconsin Medical Journal Volume 123
Rating: 
0

FACULTY DISCLOSURE

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the  speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education (CE).  In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.

For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.

Name of IndividualIndividual's Role in ActivityFinancial Relationship DisclosureDiscussion of Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices
Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhDAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
James Eberhard, MFAAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Moshe Wald, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Venkata Manchala, MDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kurtis J. SwansonReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Corlin Jewell, M.DReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Fahad Aziz, MDEditorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
David Dwyer, PhD, RN, NEBCReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Jennifer Esch, PharmD, MBA, BCPSReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Katie Gillespie, DNP, RN, CPH, FAANReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo

*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal.  The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.


Credit Designation Statements

American Medical Association (AMA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hour.  

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs  (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 05/22/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this knowledge-based activity for 1.0 hours or 0.1 CEUs. Credit can be earned by successfully completing the activity and the evaluation. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion. UAN: JA0000358-9999-25-044-H01-P

Continuing Education Units

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs) or 1 hour.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 1.00 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Cost:
$0.00
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