Microscopic testicular changes following Fowler - Stephens and testicular revascularization: an experimental study

ABSTRACT

A study of 15 adult male dogs with 30 bilateral testes and compare the Fowler-Stephens procedure with microvascular transfers in a comparative study. The Fowler-Stephens operation was used for 12 left testes and microvascular transfer was used for 12 right testes, and three dogs were used as a control group. One month postoperatively, histological study was done using hematoxylin and eosin and PAS stains after Indian ink injection above the level of anastomosis in some dogs and using a corrosion cast of the testes after injection of plastoid material above the anastomosis in the remaining dogs. Seven testes treated by the Fowler-Stephens procedure and eight testes treated by microvascular procedures were viable after an average follow up for one month. The procedure of testicular auto-transplantation with microvascular anastomosis was feasible and, while the immediate results appeared to be good, the long-term results were still awaited. In this study, the procedure has a greater potential for success than Fowler-Stephens procedure. Microvascular techniques require considerable training and expertise