What is an undescended
testicle?
Testicles form inside your son's body in utero. They
move from the body through a tube in the groin.
Then they descend into the scrotum before birth.
The scrotum is the sac of skin hanging behind the
penis.
Sometimes, though, one or both testicles stay in
the body cavity instead of moving into the
scrotum. This is called undescended testicles or
cryptorchidism, which means "hidden testicle."
The condition is common among baby boys who
are
born
premature.
All
male
babies
are
checked at birth to make sure their testicles have
descended.
Often, the testicle will descend on its own within
the first few months of life. If it does not, your child
may need surgery.
Left untreated, an undescended testicle can
cause fertility problems when the boy becomes
an adult.
Normal Teates
Undescended Testes
Testes normally develop in the abdomen and
travel
down
to
the
scrotum
before
birth.
Occasionally a testis may stop anywhere along
this path from high in the abdomen to above the
scrotum.
Other kinds of problems with testicles include:
A retractable testicle, which moves back and
forth between the scrotum and the groin.
An ascending testicle, which moves back into
the groin.
An Ectopic Testes, which is located away from
the natural descend.
You can feel for your son’s testicles while
changing diapers or while bathing. If the testicle
does not descend on its own by 3 or 4 months,
your child may need surgery.
Risk factors
Undescended
testicles
happen
because
of
problems in fetal development. Risk factors that
may increase the risk of problems in fetal
development include:
premature birth
family history of undescended testicle
low birth weight
Complications
Testicles need cool body tempeature in the
scrotum area to make sperm. An undescended
testicle. may be too warm to produce healthy
sperm. This increases the risk of fertility problems.
These
testicles
are
more
associated
with
malignany
How a doctor can help your child with an
undescended testicle
If the testicle has not lowered into the scrotum,
your son’s doctor will try to manually move the
testicle into the scrotum. If this does not work, the
doctor may refer you to a specialist.
If the testicle has not descended on its own by 3
or 4 months, your child may need surgery.
Surgery will be scheduled when your child is
between 1 and 2 years of age.
When to seek medical assistance
If you think a diagnosis of undescended testicles
has been missed, see a doctor right away. See a
doctor if you have any concerns about the area
around your child's groin.
What is an orchidopexy?
An orchidopexy is an operation to lower the
testicles into the scrotum. Your son may need to
have this operation on one or both testicles.
What happens during the operation
Your
child will
be
given
a
special
"sleep
medicine" called a general anesthetic. This will
make sure that he sleeps during the operation.
The doctors will make a small incision (cut) in the
area at the top of your child's leg, called the
groin. They will gently move your son's testicle into
the scrotum. If both testicles need descending,
there will be two incisions, one on each side of
the groin.
The operation usually takes about one hour per
testicle.
Caring for your child at home after the operation
Pain relief
Your son will probably feel soreness in his groin for
the first few days after the operation. Your child's
doctor may prescribe codeine for the pain. You
can also give your child ibuprofen for pain. Give
him this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you.
Signs your child is in pain
Older children can usually tell you if they have
pain. In younger children, look for these signs of
pain:
a lot of fussiness
increased sweating
pale skin colour
refusing to walk or trouble walking
unusually quiet behaviour
Taking care of the stitches
Your son will have a bandage over the incision
site or sites. These bandages cover the stitches.
You may see a small amount of blood on the
bandage. This is normal. The bleeding will
gradually stop.
Once the bandage has been removed, clean
the incision site twice a day. The nurse will give
you instructions on how to do this.
Using a clean wet cloth, gently pat the incision
site clean.
Put an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin
lightly over the stitches for 1 week. An antibiotic
ointment is a special cream that kills germs. You
can buy antibiotic creams at the pharmacy
without a prescription.
The stitches will fall out so they do not need to be
removed.
If your child is still in diapers, you should change
them when they are wet. Leave the diaper off for
about 30 minutes every day. If your child is older,
he can eat his regular food. Your child should
have a bowel movement (poo) every day.
Your child will need a check-up at the clinic
If you are not given an appointment, ask. Needs
a follow up after 8 to 10 days
Your child's activities
Your child should avoid certain activities that
might harm the incision until after his check-up in
the clinic. These activities include:
strenuous activities
contact sports such as football or hockey
riding a bicycle
After a few weeks, your child will be able to
resume all his normal physical activities.
Making sure there are no problems
Most children have no problems getting better
after their operations. Your child's scrotum may
be swollen and bruised after the operation. This
will go away after a few days. Some children get
infections in the scrotum or in their incision lines,
the place where the doctor cut through the skin
to operate.
Your child may have an infection if he has one of
these signs:
 increased pain at the incision line
 red incision line
 swelling or puffiness at the incision line
 liquid leaking from the incision line
 fever higher than 38.5°C
 vomiting (throwing up)
 stomach pain or stomach ache
 loss of appetite
 tiredness or no energy
If your child has one or more of these signs, see
your child's doctor.
Sometimes, a testicle will twist or rise up again
after the operation. A doctor must see your child
right away if he has any of these signs:
 has severe pain or swelling
 has difficulty or is unable to urinate (pee)
Call the hospital and ask for the surgeon on call if
you are worried that your child's testicle is twisted
or has risen up.
When you suspect a problem
Talk to a doctor if you have any concerns. Call
your child's surgeon, the doctor who did your
child’s operation.
Key points
Undescended testicle has not lowered into the
scrotum.
Often, the condition corrects itself within the first
few months of life.
Surgery may be needed if the testicle does not
descend on its own.
If untreated, there is an increased risk of fertility
problems.
The surgery usually require an overnight stay at
the hospital.
Boys will have to avoid strenuous activity for a
few days after the operation.
Parents will have to clean and change the
bandage at the incision site.