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The undescended testicle is the most common
birth abnormality involving the male genitalia.
Any testicle that does not occupy a dependent
scrotal position at birth is undescended.
Premature Infant 10% Full-term Infant 3% 6 Months
0.8% Puberty 0.8%
The statistics above demonstrate that some undescended
testes will descend during the first few months
of life, and the diagnosis can be made with confidence
by re-examination at 6 months of age. A retractile
testicle represents a "normally" descended
testicle that is pulled out of the scrotum by
an overactive cremasteric muscle reflex. This
commonly occurs between the ages of 2-7 in boys
and can be confused with a truly undescended
testicle. Proper physical exam allows accurate
diagnosis and further treatment is not required
for retractile testes.
- Infertility
- Inguinal hernia
- Testicular tumor
- Psychological/cosmetic
- Injury/torsion (twisting) Scrotal repositioning
of the testicle will maximize the future development
of the undescended testicle and help improve
the management of all of the above potential
problems.
- High scrotal (gliding)
- Superficial inguinal region
- Inguinal canal
- Intra-abdominal
- Ectopic (outside line of normal descent)
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