Pediatric Urological Surgery

What is an Undescended Testicle?

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.

Incidence of Undescended Testes

Age Incidence

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.

Problems Associated with Undescended Testes

1. Infertility
2. Inguinal hernia
3. Testicular tumor
4. Psychological/cosmetic
5. 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.

Where are Undescended Testes located?

Position of Testicle

1. High scrotal (gliding)
2. Superficial inguinal region
3. Inguinal canal
4. Intra-abdominal
5. Ectopic (outside line of normal descent)

[ top ]