Undescended testes
Pronunciation:
Cryptorchidism, pronounced kript-ork-id-iz-im
Orchidopexy, pronounced ork-id-o-peck-see
The two testes (testicles) are male sex glands. They produce sperm and hormones for sexual reproduction. When the testes (one or both) do not move down into the scrotum it is called ‘undescended testes’. It is also known as Cryptorchidism. About 4-5 boys in every 100 have undescended testes when they are born.
Types of undescended testes
There are two types of undescended testes:
1: Congenital — boys who are born with undescended testes.
- In babies born early (premature babies), the testes may not have dropped down yet (usually happens in the eight month of pregnancy).
- Some hormone and genetic disorders can cause undescended testes
- Usually doctors cannot find the cause.
2. Acquired — boys who develop undescended testes after birth.
- This can happen between 1-10 years of age.
- A boy is born with the testes in the normal place (in the scrotum).
- As the boy grows the cord attached to the testes (spermatic cord), fails to grow at the same rate. It ends up too short and pulls the testes back up into the groin.
Treatment
1: No treatment
- The testes may come down by themselves in the first three months after birth.
2: Surgery
- If the testes do not come down by themselves after six months, an operation called an Orchidopexy is needed.
- An orchidopexy brings the testis down into its normal location in the scrotum.
- See Kids Health Info factsheet 'Orchidopexy' for more information.
If the testes do not come down there is risk of ongoing health issues. These can include:
- Trauma such as twisting (torsion).
- Hernia — loops of bowel coming through the same hole as the testis.
- Lower fertility — the body temperature is in the abdomen is higher than in the scrotum. This can affect sperm production in the testes.
- Risk of testicular cancer — happens in a relatively low number of boys. The risk is usually less than 1 in 100.
- Poor self esteem.
It is important your child sees the surgeon in adolescence to discuss issues of adulthood.
Key points to remember
- There may be several reasons why the testes do not move down into the scrotum. Usually the cause is unknown.
- An operation called an Orchidopexy is needed if the testes do not move down by themselves after 6 months of age.
- This is done to reduce ongoing health issues.
- Your child should also be seen in adolescence to discuss issues of adulthood.
For more information
- Kids Health Info factsheet 'Orchidopexy' for more information. www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/
- www.urologyhealth.org
Patient information from the American Urology Association (AUA). Includes adult and children’s conditions and medical illustrations.
Individual instructions
Produced by the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Departments of Urology and Surgery.. First published Sept 2005. Updated May 2008 |