Page 1 - Undescended Testicle
P. 1
Urological Health
Undescended testicle
Occasionally, a young boy is found to have an undescended testicle. This sometimes requires
correction by surgery.
our child has been found to have an Undescended testicles are often associated with
Yundescended testicle (cryptorchidism). This hernias, which may allow bowel to move from the
condition affects about 4% of newborn boys. The abdomen through the groin into the scrotum. These
testicles, where male hormones and sperm are hernias are routinely repaired when the testicle is
produced, begin their development in the abdomen brought into the scrotum surgically.
next to the kidneys. With growth before birth, they
normally descend through the groin into the scrotal An undescended testicle slightly increases the risk of
sac. testicular tumour development after puberty. These
rare cancers are more common in men who have
In some boys the descent of one or both testicles is had an undescended testicle. Bringing the testicle
incomplete, with the testicle coming to lie somewhere into the scrotum may not decrease the risk of cancer
along the course of its descent from the abdomen developing, but it does allow its earlier detection by
to the scrotum. This is often detected by physical examination of the testicle. The earlier such a tumour
examination shortly after birth. is detected, the greater the chance of cure.
Descent of right testicle from An undescended testicle is more prone to injury,
abdomen through groin into scrotum particularly when located in the groin. Finally, the
normal appearance of two testicles in the scrotum
may be important for a boy’s self-esteem, particularly
at puberty. For all of these reasons, it is important that
an undescended testicle be corrected.
Investigations
groin
canal
When physical examination locates an undescended
testicle, usually in the groin, no other investigation is
normally necessary. If the testicle cannot be located,
Roula Drossis some boys, a testicle does not develop at all; in
scrotum it must be determined whether or not it is present. In
others, it may shrivel up before birth often due to a
disruption of its blood supply.
An undescended testicle may come down on its
own in the first few months of life. In general, such Ultrasound examination may identify a testicle in the
spontaneous descent does not occur after six groin or abdomen. In some cases, the abdominal
months of age at which point your urologist will likely cavity is inspected with a scope passed through the
recommend treatment to bring the testicle into the navel under anesthesia (laparoscopy) to localize a
scrotum. testicle undetectable by other means.
Associated problems Treatment
Infertility (difficulty fathering children) has been Surgical correction of an undescended testicle
associated with undescended testicles. The risk of (orchiopexy) is usually recommended before two
infertility is minimal if only one testicle is undescended years of age. This outpatient operation requires
and more significant if both are affected. Fertility a general anesthetic. A small incision is made in
potential may be improved when the testicle is the groin and the testicle is freed from its tethering
brought down to the scrotum before two years of age. attachments. When encountered, a hernia is repaired.
Continued on next page
