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TIMELY EMERGENCY INTERVENTION FOR A CASE OF TESTICULAR TORSION IN A 13-YEAR-OLD CHILD WITHIN THE “GOLDEN WINDOW”

TIMELY EMERGENCY INTERVENTION FOR A CASE OF TESTICULAR TORSION IN A 13-YEAR-OLD CHILD WITHIN THE “GOLDEN WINDOW”

27/03/2026

Recently, the American International Hospital (AIH) successfully provided emergency care and treatment for a case of acute testicular torsion in a 13-year-old male pediatric patient (British), timely preserving the testicle within the “golden window”.

Pediatric patient S.W. (13 years old) was admitted to the hospital presenting with sudden onset of right testicular pain while at school. The pain intensified rapidly and became severe, accompanied by vomiting, without fever and normal urination. Recognizing these as abnormal signs, the school notified the family, and the child was transported to the American International Hospital (AIH). Through clinical examination and color Doppler ultrasound, physicians diagnosed the case as right testicular torsion - a urological emergency caused by the rotation of the testis around the spermatic cord axis, which obstructs the blood supply and can lead to necrosis if not intervened promptly.

Recognizing the emergency, Nguyen Ngoc Tien, MD, PhD, Head of the Nephrology-Urology-Andrology Division at AIH, performed emergency surgery on the patient. During the surgery, the surgeon noted that the right testis was twisted 1.5 turns, and the right spermatic cord and epididymis were edematous. The surgeon performed detorsion, and scrotal warming using warm normal saline to facilitate the restoration of blood circulation. Upon perfusion reassessment following detorsion, the testis regained a healthy, pink appearance. Bilateral orchiopexy was performed to prevent the risk of future recurrence. 

Postoperatively, a follow-up ultrasound confirmed that the right testis had returned to its normal size, exhibited a homogeneous parenchymal structure, and the testis was well-perfused. The pediatric patient recovered completely and was discharged.

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Nguyen Ngoc Tien, MD, PhD, performed a timely detorsion of the testis for the patient

THE "GOLDEN" 6 HOURS FOR TESTICULAR SALVAGE

According to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tien, testicular torsion is a medical emergency that requires intervention within the first 6 hours to prevent necrosis, with a testicular salvage rate potentially exceeding 90%. Beyond this timeframe, the probability of salvage decreases significantly, and the testis may undergo necrosis, necessitating orchiectomy.

This condition occurs when the testis twists around the spermatic cord, leading to acute vascular obstruction. If surgical detorsion is not performed promptly, the testis may suffer from ischemia and necrosis. 

The cause of testicular torsion is typically associated with congenital abnormalities of the spermatic cord and scrotal anatomical structures, a condition known as testicular mobility, or trauma resulting from daily activities and physical exertion. The condition can occur at any age but is most common in neonates and adolescents aged 12–18. In young males, highly mobile testes and long spermatic cords increase the risk of torsion; some cases may undergo spontaneous detorsion, leading to a temporary reduction in symptoms, which often results in complacency and delayed medical evaluation.

Nguyen Ngoc Tien, MD, PhD, emphasizes that parents and patients must not be complacent regarding abnormal signs in the scrotal area of male children. It is essential to take the child to a medical facility immediately upon the appearance of any of the following symptoms: sudden testicular pain, rapidly increasing and severe pain; a swollen, tense, or red scrotum; pain radiating to the lower abdomen or groin; nausea or vomiting accompanied by scrotal pain; or unexplained pain following physical activity or trauma. Therefore, early detection and bringing the child to a specialized medical facility upon the onset of sudden testicular pain is the decisive factor in treatment outcomes. 

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Seek immediate medical attention if the child experiences: sudden onset of testicular pain, rapidly increasing or severe pain; scrotal swelling, tension, or redness; or pain radiating to the lower abdomen or groin.

At the American International Hospital (AIH), surgical emergencies such as testicular torsion trigger an emergency management protocol upon the patient's arrival. Advanced diagnostic imaging systems, particularly color Doppler ultrasonography, are utilized instantaneously to assess testicular perfusion, thereby confirming the diagnosis and prescribing timely surgical intervention to maximize testicular salvage in pediatric patients. Concurrently, the Nephrology - Urology - Andrology specialist team coordinates closely with pediatric anesthesiologists throughout the surgery to ensure the safety of the pediatric patient.

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AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL (AIH):
☎ Hotline: 1900 3399 || (028) 3910 9999​
🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn
📍Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh
  • by Admin AIH
  • In Tin tức & Sự kiện

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