Testicular Torsion Treatment in Hyderabad
Testicular torsion is a condition where the tissues surrounding the testicles are not attached properly. Due to this, the testicle twists around the spermatic cord and the blood supply to the testicle gets affected. A poor supply of blood to the testicle causes severe pain and swelling. This condition is commonly seen in children between the age of 12 and 18. But it can occur at any age.
Testicular torsion is an emergency condition and you should seek immediate medical assistance. If not treated early, the poor blood supply to the testicle can cause severe damage. If the blood supply is not restored within 6 hours, the testicle is not viable and needs to be surgically removed.
this is generally confused with severe infection of testis and may need emergency surgery as torsion may cause loss of the testis
Will My Child Have Any Signs If He Has Testicular Torsion?
Like any other condition, testicular torsion also shows certain signs such as the following:
- Sudden, and severe pain on one side of the scrotum
- One testicle appears larger than the other
- Redness or darkness on one side of the scrotum
- Swelling in the scrotum
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urge to urinate than usual
- Fever
If your son complains about any of the above signs, you should contact a medical professional right away.
What Causes Testicular Torsion?
Testicular torsion is a very rare condition and it is seen in one among 4000 males. If the testicle rotates around the spermatic cord that delivers blood to the testicle from the stomach, it leads to testicular torsion. If the rotation happens for a long time, then the blood supply to the testicle gets blocked and can cause damage to the testicle.
However, the exact reason why this condition occurs is unknown. In most males, the tissue around the testicle is well attached to the scrotum and the testicle will not twist. But some males may not have this tissue that holds the testes to the scrotum. This can cause the testes to swing in the scrotum.
In most cases, testicular torsion occurs on one side, but can also occur on both sides. Testicular torsion can occur during exercise, sitting, standing, or while sleeping. It can also occur due to a minor injury to the testicles.
The following are some of the risk factors of testicular torsion:
- Children between the age of 12 and 18 are at a greater risk
- History of previous testicular torsion that cured without any treatment
- Family history of testicular torsion
How is Testicular Torsion Diagnosed?
The doctor will ask you about your signs of testicular torsion. The doctor will then conduct a physical examination to look at your scrotum, testicles, and groin. The doctor may also rub or pinch the inside of the thigh on the affected side. This will contract the testicle. If you have testicular torsion, then the reflex will not take place.
The doctor may also conduct other tests to confirm the diagnosis or to know if another condition is causing the signs. The different tests include:
- A urine test is used to look for an infection
- Scrotal ultrasound is used to know the blood flow to the testicle. If the blood flow is less, it indicates testicular torsion
If the physical examination and tests determine that you have testicular torsion, the doctor will immediately plan a surgical exploration..
Treatment for Testicular Torsion
Surgery is the ultimate option to treat testicular torsion. The urologist can sometimes untwist the testicle by pushing on the scrotum. But this manual process also needs surgery to prevent it from occurring again in the future. During surgery, the urologist will make an incision on the scrotum and untwists the spermatic cord. The testicles are then sewn with stitches to the inside of the scrotum. This prevents testicular torsion from occurring in the future.
The testicle should be untwisted within 6 hours of experiencing the signs to prevent serious damage to the testicles. If surgery is delayed for more than 12 hours, then the chances of removing the testicle are high.
Always the opposite testis has to be fixed to avoid torsion on the opposite side.
Treating Testicular Torsion in Infants and New-borns
In rare cases, new-borns and infants may also develop testicular torsion. The testicle of an infant is very dark, and hard, and an ultrasound cannot detect poor blood supply to the scrotum and surgery needs to be performed to confirm testicular torsion. Surgery for infants removes the affected testicle. The unaffected testicle is secured to the inner scrotal wall so that it does not twist in the future.
Looking for a Pediatric Urologist in Hyderabad? Contact Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy Today
If your son ever complains about the signs of testicular torsion, then you should immediately visit a pediatric urologist. Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy has been working as a pediatric urologist in Hyderabad for over 30 years. He can treat a wide range of urological problems in children. He is experienced in robotic surgery pediatric tumors and is recognized as one of the top urologists in Hyderabad. To know more or to seek medical assistance, call us today.