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Undescended testicle repair

Definition:

Undescended testicle repair is surgery to correct undescended testes (cryptorchism).

Alternative Names:

Orchidopexy; Inguinal orchidopexy; Orchiopexy; Repair of undescended testicle; Cryptorchidism repair

Description:

As a baby grows in the womb, the testicles develop in the infant's abdomen and drop down into the scrotum during the last months before birth. In some newborns, however, one or both testicles do not move down into their proper position. About half of these cases will descend within the first year of life without medical treatment.

Undescended testicle repair surgery is recommended for patients whose testicles do not descend on their own.

The surgery is done while the child is unconscious and pain-free under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a cut in the groin, where most undescended testes are located. After finding the cord that holds the testis within the scrotum, the surgeon unties it from the surrounding tissue so that the cord's full length is used. A small cut is made in the scrotum and a pouch is created. The testicle is carefully pulled down into the scrotum, and stitched into place. Stitches are used to close any surgical cuts.

Indications:

This surgery is recommended for infants older than 1 year whose testicles have not descended into the scrotum ( cryptorchidism ).

Male reproductive anatomy

Before and after testicular repair

Review Date: 8/15/2006
Reviewed By: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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