Testicles are an important part of the male reproductive system. Before birth, the testis falls into a skin sac called the scrotum that is located below the penis. When it fails to move down to the scrotum from the belly, the condition is called Undescended testicles (UDT).
This medical condition is also known as cryptorchidism(crypto-hidden, orchid-testes). It is one of the most common disorders affecting 1-4% of newborn babies, especially premature ones.
Sometimes, the testicle is not at the surface level that can be identified in physical examination. In such cases, if it is located at a deeper level in the tummy or abdomen area, then Laparoscopic surgery is advised. Thus, a special, tiny camera and tools are used to identify and locate the testicles inside the child’s body. With this, the testicle(s) are found and freed from nearby tissue. They are then repositioned into the scrotum area and secured there.
This surgery is usually a very speedy and successful type of surgery. It includes two small cuts. One cut near the groin to find the testicle, and another cut in the scrotum to place the testicle in it. It is mostly a same-day surgical procedure; thus, the child can go home the same day or the next day. Such surgery is carried out to treat hernia associated with the testes, injury to the testis etc.
Hormonal treatment for an undescended testicle may be considered, but the success rate is below 10% when retractile testicles are excluded from the treatment groups. Hormonal therapy is contraindicated in children with a clinically visible hernia. Most undescended testes are associated with a hernia that must be repaired.
Testis has many vital functions such as making sperm, and producing testosterone among several others like growing body hair, deepening voice, maturing muscles, etc. in male individuals. Because of these significant functions, there are potential health risks linked to undescended testis such as:
In most boys born with this condition, generally, the testes will migrate down to the scrotum on their own. This is seen 2-4 months after the birth of the baby. However, if it doesn’t descend even after 6 months, it is probably the ideal time to visit a paediatric urologist.
At all the branches of NU Hospitals including Bangalore, we have expert pediatric urologists who specialize in laparoscopic surgeries. We also have a child-friendly environment with excellent healthcare professionals for the diagnosis and treatment of undescended testis.