Does only one testicle need to be operated on?

Patient's question:

Age
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: My son has never had a left testicle since birth, while he has one on the right. When he was six months old, he was hospitalized due to a cold. After the doctor's examination, it was discovered that the left testicle was located above the left side of the navel and could be felt when lying flat. It has not descended to this day, and there has been no follow-up examination! My friend mentioned that surgery might be necessary, but my son is still not very good at speaking and cannot express his own urination and defecation. What is the best time for surgical treatment? Are there any better alternatives to surgery? Thank you

Doctor's answer:

?Hello, you're referring to cryptorchidism. It is a condition where one testicle does not descend into the scrotum after a child is born, and it can be located in the inguinal canal or within the abdomen. Although there are no symptoms, it is best to have surgery as early as possible because, undescended testicles in the inguinal canal or abdomen are exposed to higher temperatures, which is detrimental to the testicles and can affect fertility, and may even lead to cancer later in life.