Three teenage boys lost a testicle in the past month at Meir Medical Center after arriving too late for treatment of testicular torsion, a medical emergency in which every hour is critical.
In total, about 10 boys ages 12 to 18 were diagnosed with the condition over the same period. According to doctors, the unusually high rate of complications is largely due to delayed arrival at the emergency room, a trend they say has been influenced in part by the ongoing war.
“Testicular torsion is an emergency where every hour counts. The earlier the surgery, the higher the chance of saving the testicle,” said Dr. Dana Livne-Segev, a urologist and andrologist who heads the male fertility clinic at Meir Medical Center.
“According to the medical literature, only about 7% to 10% of cases end in removal of the testicle. Here, we are seeing a much higher rate, mainly due to late arrival,” she said.
A delay that cost an organ
The mother of a 14-year-old boy who lost a testicle described how the delay unfolded.
“After the ultrasound, the doctor told us to wait for a urologist. Then we realized the situation had changed — and shortly after, we were told he would need to have the testicle removed,” she said. “It was a shock. We never imagined something like this. For him, it was also a shock. The first thing he thought about was his military service.”
Her son began experiencing pain three days earlier.
“He told me he had lower abdominal pain and that his testicles felt hard,” she recalled. “I thought maybe it was related to constipation.”
At one point, she consulted ChatGPT.
“It gave several options and said it could be something serious and that we should get it checked,” she said. “But it also said it was relatively rare, so we thought we could wait. He wasn’t in extreme pain at first.”
After two days without improvement, the boy noticed swelling.
“I thought it would go down. We didn’t think it was something serious,” she said. “But then he couldn’t take it anymore. He was focused only on the pain and had trouble walking.”
They went to an urgent care clinic, where they were advised to go to the hospital. She consulted ChatGPT again.
“We showed it the diagnosis we were given, and it told us to go to the emergency room immediately. It was crazy,” she said.
By the time they arrived at the hospital late at night, doctors diagnosed severe testicular torsion requiring immediate surgery. The boy is now recovering at home.
'Like a stroke of the testicle'
Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord twists, cutting off blood flow.
“You can think of it as a stroke of the testicle,” Livne said. “The longer the blood supply is cut off, the higher the risk of irreversible damage.”
The condition can occur at any age but is most common among infants and teenage boys. It affects about one in 4,000 males under age 25.
Timing is critical. Survival rates are about 90% if surgery is performed within six hours of onset. Between six and 12 hours, the rate drops to 54%. After 24 hours, the chance of saving the testicle falls to just 18%.
Delays and lack of awareness
Livne said that while cases occur year-round, the number of delayed arrivals seen in a single month is unusual.
“Teenagers often delay seeking care due to embarrassment or because they think it’s minor trauma,” she said. “Parents also need to recognize the symptoms.”
Dr. Dana Livne-SegevThe classic symptom is sudden, severe pain in one testicle, often accompanied by swelling, tenderness, nausea or vomiting. In younger children, symptoms may appear as lower abdominal or groin pain, making diagnosis more difficult.
Diagnosis is based on a physical exam and, when needed, ultrasound imaging. If torsion is confirmed, immediate surgery is required.
“We untwist the cord to restore blood flow,” Livne said. “If the testicle recovers, we fix it in place and also secure the healthy one as a preventive measure. If it does not recover, removal is necessary.”
She added that losing a testicle can carry emotional consequences and concerns about fertility, and in some cases, psychological support is recommended.
'Do not wait'
“In any case of sudden testicular pain, especially with nausea or vomiting, go immediately to the emergency room,” Livne said. “Do not wait, do not assume it will pass and do not rely on painkillers.”
Doctors emphasize that when it comes to testicular torsion, delaying even a few hours can make the difference between saving the organ and losing it.
First published: 11:21, 04.12.26