CONTRALATERAL INTRATESTICULAR OXYGEN TISSUE TENSION DURING UNILATERALTESTICULAR TORSION

The intratesticular tissue oxygen tension (= IT-pO(2)) depends on the testicular perfusion. Polarographic microcatheter probes have recently become available and are suitable for continuous measurements of the tissue oxygen tension. In 20 adult albino rats flexible Clark-type oxy gen electrodes (1.5 F) were used for simultaneous monitoring of IT-pO( 2) of the ipsi- and contralateral testicle during unilateral torsion. A counterclockwise 720 degrees torsion caused a decrease of IT-pO(2) f rom 21 mm Hg (+/- 5 mm Hg) to 5 mm Hg (+/- 1.5 mm Hg) in the twisted t esticle within 5-7 min. After detorsion the IT-pO(2) returned to norma l level in the following 25 min. The IT-pO(2) of the contralateral tes ticle showed no significant changes during torsion for 1 h or after de torsion. Thus, if the oxygen utilization is unchanged a unilateral acu te torsion for 1 h does not cause a decrease in perfusion in the centr alateral testicle. It will probably also prove possible to use oxygen tissue tension measurements to improve our understanding of testicular perfusion in humans.