Undescended testes occur when the male baby’s testicles do not drop to the scrotum. Surgery is needed when the testes haven’t dropped six months after the baby’s birth, and they can’t be felt in the scrotum. Surgery is safe and reduces the risk of fertility issues, testicular cancer, and testicular torsion.
Undescended Testicle: When Is Surgery Needed? Best Age for Treatment & What Happens If It’s Delayed
A pediatric urologist at WIINS hospital in Kolhapur checks the baby’s weight, feeding, respiratory function, and other vital signs to ensure the baby is overall healthy. They may also check if the baby’s testicles have dropped down from inside their abdomen into the scrotum (a pouch that holds testes). This post explains undescended testes, the right age for treatment, and the risks of delaying treatment.
What Exactly are Undescended Testicles?
Your baby’s testes develop when they are inside your womb. These are primarily within the abdomen. They move down into the scrotum through a small passage during the last month of pregnancy.
Undescended testicles occur when one or both testes haven’t made it to the scrotum after birth. Although it may seem concerning, know that in most cases, testicles drop naturally within 6 months.
Any baby can be born with an undescended testicle, but premature babies are more vulnerable. There’s no strong scientific evidence that shows what exactly causes undescended testicles. Premature birth and genetics are linked to increased risk.
Is Surgery Necessary?
The good news is that undescended testicles move down on their own within the first 3-6 months of the baby’s life. A pediatrician will closely monitor your baby during these initial months. If the testicles do not drop by six months, it’s highly unlikely they will drop on their own.
At this point, a pediatrician may discuss treatment options. Traditionally, hormonal injections were used as the standard treatment for undescended testes, but these are no longer recommended.
The most reliable treatment is pediatric surgery in Kolhapur, also called orchiopexy. The surgery relocates the testes from the inside of the abdomen to the scrotum.
Complications of Delaying Treatment
Surgery is advised after 6 months of birth or usually between 12 and 18 months of age. Many parents wait for their child to be a little older for the surgery, but here’s what happens if you delay it too long.
- Fertility Problems: The temperature in the scrotum is cooler than that in the abdomen. Sperm cells thrive in cooler temperatures. So, the longer they remain in the abdomen, the higher the risks of sperm cell damage and fertility issues.
- Testicular Cancer Risk: Men born with undescended testicles have a slightly higher risk of testicular cancer later in life. The surgery reduces this risk.
- Testicular Torsion: The blood supply to the testicles can be cut off, causing the testicles to die if the treatment is delayed.
Is Surgery to Move Down Undescended Testicles Safe?
Yes, orchiopexy is generally safe and an effective treatment option for undescended testes. Many babies can go home within 24 hours of the surgery. The surgeon makes a small cut in the groin, moves the testes carefully to the scrotum, and stitches them in place.
