Surgery for undescended testes
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Introduction
The testicles of a male fetus grow in the abdominal cavity during pregnancy. In most cases, they drop into the scrotum before birth. Testicles that don’t descend into the scrotum before birth are referred to as undescended testes. It’s also known as cryptorchidism.
Most often, it’s just one testicle that doesn’t descend into the scrotum, which is the bag of skin that hangs below the penis. But sometimes both testicles are affected.
An undescended testes is more common in premature babies than it is in full-term infants, and it usually moves down on its own within a few months after the baby is born. The testicles can be treated with hormones or surgery i.e. surgery for undescended testes, if they don’t fall out on their own.
Causes of undescended testicles
Some newborns are born without descending testicles for unknown reasons. Hormones occasionally have the potential to obstruct the growth of the testicles. Premature babies who were born before they had nine months to fully develop are more likely to have the disorder. There is no proof that a mother’s actions during pregnancy can lead to a child’s testicles not descended.
Diagnosis of undescended testicles
Every time your child visits the doctor, the doctor should physically inspect your child’s testicles. The testicles may be undescended if they are “non-palpable” (the provider cannot feel them).
Your doctor could advise scheduling an appointment with a pediatric urologist later on. The urologist could advise getting an ultrasound, although it’s not always necessary.
Treatment of undescended testicles
1. Hormone treatment of Undescended testicle
The testicles of a developing male fetus are signaled by hormones like testosterone to travel from the abdomen to the scrotum while the male fetus is still in the womb. If the testicles have not descended by the time the baby is born, hormones (such hCG or LH-releasing hormone) can be injected into a muscle, usually the buttocks. When blood tests show that the undescended testes are the product of underlying hormonal problems, the technique is frequently utilized on infants whose testicles are already close to the scrotum.
Researchers believe that hormone therapy is effective because it stimulates the production of testosterone, which marks the testicles’ fall. Over a period of 5 weeks, the shots are commonly administered either daily or weekly. Success rates fluctuate, and the strategy has several risks, including
- Skin discoloration
- Early pubic hair growth
- Increased penis size
- Erections in boys before puberty
2. Surgery for undescended testes
The surgery for undescended testes is orchiopexy surgery. A groin incision must first be made during orchiopexy surgery to allow the testicle to be manually moved into the scrotum. Up to 98 percent of baby patients who undergo this treatment succeed.
The procedure can also be performed through a cut made along the scrotum’s edge. This approach is more expedient, less uncomfortable, and secure. Other times, doctors will perform a procedure called a laparoscopy, which involves making a small incision below the belly button. Since this method is less-invasive, infants tend to heal faster.
When the testicles are placed in the abdomen, laparoscopy is frequently employed in hospitals. However, the procedure of choice is determined by the patient’s age, the size and placement of the testicle, and the surgeon’s proficiency with the techniques.
Undescended testis surgery age
The treatment is currently advised for patients less than 2 years of age, and even as young as 6 months. As a result, the suggested age for orchiopexy has been gradually lowered.
Main complications of surgery for undescended testes include:
- Testicle shrinkage
- Injury to the vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm to the ejaculate
- The testicle reascending into the abdomen
- Inflammation of the testicle or the epididymis (the tube where sperm mature)
- Fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele)
Infants can usually go home on the day of the surgery. For the fastest recovery, the incision should be kept dry for 48 hours. Parents should make an effort to stop their infants from playing games that require straddling toys or engaging in intense activities for one to two weeks.
A few weeks following the treatment, a check-up will be scheduled to make sure the baby is recovering well, and another check-up will be scheduled a year later to make sure the testicle has remained in the scrotum and is continuing to develop normally.
Undescended testicle surgery cost
Surgery for undescended testes is usually a day surgery where your child will come to the hospital in the morning, get his surgery, and go home in the evening. The estimated cost in the hospital will be about Rs. 23,000 – 120,000/- Depending on the class of hospital, the cost ranges vary.
Diagnosis of indescended testicles
Every time your child visits the doctor, the doctor should physically inspect your child’s testicles. The testicles may be undescended if they are “non-palpable” (the provider cannot feel them).
Your doctor could advise scheduling an appointment with a pediatric urologist later on. The urologist could advise getting an ultrasound, although it’s not always necessary.
Undescended testicls at age 30 surgery
After the first year, undescended testis postnatal germ-cell development declines; probably as a result, the risk of infertility rises with age. The treatment is currently advised for patients less than 2 years of age, and even as young as 6 months. As a result, the suggested age for orchiopexy has been gradually lowered.
surgery for undescended testes at age 30 may be risky because it may cause infertility in males.
Undescended testicls surgery name
The undescended testicle surgery name is orchiopexy surgery.