Doctor Nguyen Do Trong, Specialist Level II, from the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Tam Anh Ho Chi Minh City General Hospital, reported that the boy's two testes were located in his inguinal canals, leading to a diagnosis of bilateral undescended testes. The inguinal canal is situated in the lower anterior abdominal wall, near the groin crease, at the junction of the abdomen and thigh.

Normally, the testes descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum during fetal development. If this process is incomplete, the testes may remain in the abdominal cavity, inguinal canal, or a high position near the scrotum.

Following the surgery to reposition his testes, Khoi recovered quickly. He will require follow-up appointments to assess endocrine and sperm production function as he grows, particularly during puberty.

Doctor Trong (right) performs surgery to lower the testes for baby Khoi. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Doctor Trong explained that the surgical approach depends on the testes' location. For testes situated low, near the scrotum, doctors perform surgery via the scrotal route. If they are in the abdominal cavity, laparoscopic surgery is performed. This condition often causes no pain and can therefore be overlooked, with some children only diagnosed during routine health check-ups. Untreated, it can significantly reduce fertility in adulthood.

Parents should seek medical consultation if they cannot feel the testes in the scrotum or if they are in an abnormally high position. The ideal time for surgical correction of this anomaly is when the child is 6-12 months old.

Phuong Dang

*Patient's name has been changed.