Testicular Torsion:‌ A Medical​ Emergency That Requires Timely Treatment

On the⁣ morning of August 28, 14-year-old Yang Yang (pseudonym) visited the Urology Department of Nanjing‍ Hospital of ‌Integrated Traditional‍ Chinese‍ and Western⁢ Medicine ​accompanied by his family.‍ Shi Songshan, director of the ⁢Urology Department II, diagnosed him with testicular torsion ⁣and successfully performed⁣ the operation on the ⁢child during the ​golden period of treatment, avoiding ‍pain and regret ‍for ⁣the family.

Playing Badminton‌ Too Much Caused the “Balls”⁤ to Twist⁤ 360 Degrees

“The boy played badminton the day before he came to see⁢ the doctor and exercised quite ⁤a lot.⁢ He felt pain‌ in his scrotum around 5 a.m.​ the next day. When he ⁤came to the outpatient ‌clinic in the morning, after‌ questioning, I basically‍ determined ⁣that the boy had testicular torsion. We ‌immediately opened a green channel and successfully completed the operation within the ​golden treatment time of six hours.” Director Shi Songshan introduced that during the ​operation, it was‍ found that the ⁤testicle had twisted⁣ to 360 degrees. After the operation, the patient recovered well.

Understanding Testicular Torsion

Testicular⁢ torsion, also known⁢ as spermatic⁢ cord torsion, is the clockwise or​ counterclockwise ‍rotation of the testicle along the longitudinal ⁢axis of the spermatic cord, causing testicular blood flow obstruction. The ​greater the rotation angle and the ⁢longer ⁣the time, ‌the greater the chance of testicular necrosis caused by blood ⁤flow obstruction.‌ Director Shi​ Songshan told reporters that‌ the typical symptoms⁣ of testicular torsion are severe testicular pain, which may be ⁢accompanied by lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, scrotal redness and ⁣swelling, etc. In severe cases, it can lead ‌to testicular ischemia‍ and necrosis. The⁢ disease is more common ⁤in boys aged 2 to‍ 18 years old, and‌ often occurs after intense exercise, at ⁢night or just‍ after waking ⁢up.

Warning Signs‌ and Prevention

Director ‍Shi Songshan pointed out that testicular torsion often occurs during intense activities or vagus‍ nerve excitement during sleep, penile erection, and changes in posture during sleep that cause the legs to​ constantly‌ squeeze the testicles, causing the testicles to be compressed or displaced ⁢from⁣ time⁢ to time. So boys should not sleep with their testicles pressed down.

If the testicle torsion‍ lasts for less than 6⁢ hours, the chance of successful testicle rescue is 90%; if it ‌lasts for⁣ more than‌ 12 hours, the survival rate is very low. Testicular torsion causes testicular ischemia for ‍8 to 12‍ hours,​ and the testicle will suffer irreversible damage: 80% of testicular tissue ischemic and ⁢necrotic, ‌loss of function, and loss ⁤of value for preservation.

Identifying Testicular Torsion

Director Shi Songshan said that the biggest characteristic of testicular torsion​ is pain! At first, the pain is mainly ‍in the lower abdomen or groin, and after a few hours, the pain will ⁢move to⁢ the scrotum. So when​ the child says “stomach pain, testicle pain, ​pee pain”,⁣ parents should ⁢be extra vigilant. ‍If the baby cannot speak ‍yet, pay attention to whether they will cry for ‍unknown reasons. Along with the pain, the testicles are lifted⁤ up and placed in a horizontal ‍position, and the scrotum is red, swollen,⁣ and tender. If the child has ⁢fever, nausea, and vomiting, the possibility of testicular⁣ torsion is greater.

Prevention Tips

To prevent testicular torsion, you⁣ should pay attention to the following ⁣four ‌points: First, let your‌ child sleep⁢ in a supine⁤ position, not prone or side-lying for a long time, to ‍avoid the testicles always being squeezed⁤ between the legs; second, avoid‌ letting your child do​ overly intense exercise; third, usually let your child wear​ loose, breathable underwear and pants to keep the testicles comfortable and dry; fourth, it is best to ‌rinse the testicles with warm water when bathing ⁤to increase‍ the ‍testicles’ tolerance.