Natural course of undescended testes after inguinoscrotal surgery

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery 2013-12, Vol.48 (12), p.2540-2544
• Main Authors: Meij–deVries, Annebeth, van der Voort, Laszla M, Sijstermans, Karlijn, Meijer, Robert W, van der Plas, Evelyn M, Hack, Wilfried W.M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Cryptorchidism - etiology; Cryptorchidism - surgery; Follow-Up Studies; Hernia, Inguinal - surgery; Herniorrhaphy; Humans; Inguinoscrotal surgery; Male; Orchiopexy; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Pediatrics; Postoperative Complications - surgery; Remission, Spontaneous; Reoperation; Spontaneous descent; Surgery; Undescended testis
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.06.016

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study is to study the natural course of undescended testes after inguinoscrotal surgery. Methods From 2003–2010, 24 boys were observed with 26 undescended testes after inguinoscrotal surgery; 12 had previously undergone inguinal hernia repair and 12 orchidopexy. Spontaneous descent was awaited and (re-)orchidopexy would only be performed in case of non-descent at puberty. The boys were assessed annually for testis position and for testis volume as measured by ultrasound. Results At the end of the study period, 19 testes had reached scrotal position; of these, 13 (68%) had descended spontaneously and 6 (32%) had been (re-)orchidopexied. No difference was found in the rate of spontaneous descent after previous orchidopexy or inguinal hernia repair ( P = 0.419). Conclusion Spontaneous descent of undescended testes after inguinoscrotal surgery occurs regularly. In this study, it was observed in two out of every three cases.