DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY EDUCATION

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Undescended Testes

What is undescended Testes?

Cryptorchidism( Undecended Testes) is the absence of one or both testes from the scrotum. It is the most common birth defect regarding male genitalia

Anatomy of the male reproductive system

What happens under normal conditions?

Normal testicles arise early in a boy's development. Although they are located initially in the abdominal cavity, they descend or drop into the scrotal area during the latter part of pregnancy.

In response to the baby's normal hormones. The testicles in the infant make sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone .The purpose of the scrotum is to allow the testis to be in a cooler environment than the body, because sperm cannot develop at body temperature.

During childhood, sperm in the testicles are undergoing a maturation process that ultimately results in mature sperm at puberty. If the testicles are undescended, meaning not in the scrotum, then the sperm do not mature.

What causes undescended testes?

In most children with this condition it is not known why the testicles fail to descend. It may be because the testicles are not normal to start with. In other cases there is a mechanical problem that leads them to descend or drop but miss the scrotum, and end up adjacent to the scrotum these are called "ectopic testicles”.

It may be that the infant's hormones may be

insufficient to stimulate the testicles normally.

How do you diagnose undescended testes?

The most common diagnostic dilemma in otherwise normal boys is distinguishing a retractile testis from a testis that will not/cannot descend spontaneously into the scrotum. Retractile testes are more common than truly undescended testes and do not need to be operated on.

Pelvic Ultrasound and MRI are used to locate the undescended testes in the abdomen.

How does undescended testes look like ?

What are the Treatments that are available ?

Treatment is recommended anytime after six months of age. The time between six and 18 months of age is generally considered best, when taking into account surgical and anesthetic factors.

The testis will not descend spontaneously after 3 months of age. Consequently, the only available treatment option is surgery. This operation is called an orchiopexy. It is done under general anesthesia, and the baby can almost always go home the same day and usually acts entirely normal within one to two days.

What are the Treatments that are available?

An incision about an inch long is made in the groin area .The testicle is separated from all surrounding tissues so that it comes easily into the scrotum where it is stitched into place.

What can be expected after treatment ?

After treatment, the testicle usually develops to normal size in the scrotum. However, in some cases the testicle is abnormal to start with and never grows properly.

It is recommended that, as a teenager, these patients have regular physical examinations and be reminded to perform monthly testicular self-examination .

Important Information

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