What is an undescended testis?
Before male babies are born, both testicles are in the baby’s abdominal cavity. As the baby continues to develop in the womb, the testicles begin to descend into the bag. After the intra-abdominal cavity, they pass through the inguinal region and settle in the bag close to birth. Rarely, the descent into this bag continues in the first 6 months after birth. If the testicles are not in the sac when a newborn boy is born, this is called a true undescended testis. It often happens on one side, sometimes on both sides. The important feature of the true undescended testis is that one or both testicles are never in the bag.
Shy testis (Retractile testis)
In case of shy testicles, the testicles are occasionally seen in the bag. However, they disappear by escaping upwards, towards the groin, especially in cases such as the effect of cold or the handling of the child’s lower parts. Shy testes, which are called retractile testicles in medical language, are mostly seen in the bag when the child has a fever, for example, when the child has a fever or when they are sitting in hot water in the bath tub or when the child is sleeping. Shy testicle is not considered a disease, it does not cause a problem in the future life of the child. It does not require any treatment (medication or surgery). However, it should be checked by a pediatric surgeon at 6-month intervals. It is an innocent event that is completely different from a real undescended testis.
Does true undescended testis resolve spontaneously?
According to statistics, undescended testis is seen 3 times more frequently in preterm babies compared to babies seen at normal time. Some of the undescended testicles descend until the end of 6 months. But after that it doesn’t go down anymore. It is the most common abnormality of the genitals of boys. It is found as a permanent disease in one out of every 100 healthy male babies. After the first 6 months, it should be treated as soon as possible. The testis can be inserted anywhere along the travel line in the mother’s womb and does not descend. 1. It may be stuck in the inguinal canal and not descended into the bag. It may have remained in the abdomen.
Can the testis disappear completely?
During its journey through the abdomen to the bag, the testis sometimes rotates around itself and the feeding vessels are twisted and occluded. Thus, the testicle rots and disappears. This condition, which reveals a serious disease picture after birth and manifests itself, does not give any symptoms when it is in the prenatal period and the baby is born without a testicle. Is everything clear with the inspection? Understandable in 80% of patients. Because in this percentage of patients, the testis becomes palpable in a part of the inguinal canal after careful examination by an experienced hand. However, in one-fifth of the patients, the testis is not palpable. When this happens, there are two possibilities. Either the testicle is in the abdomen. or not. Both reflection and many other expensive and difficult diagnostic methods will not help us here. The most definitive diagnostic method is laparoscopy. In other words, it is a method also known as bladeless surgery. For this purpose, the entire inside of the abdomen is seen by inserting a thin lighted lens through the hole drilled in the abdominal wall. In this way, it is determined whether there is a testicle and if it is in the abdomen, it is lowered into the bag by continuing the same method. In such cases, sometimes two-session surgeries are preferred. If there is no testicle, its residue should be found at that time and should be removed due to the risk of cancer that may occur in the future.
Why should an undescended testis be treated?
Prevents future childbearing: It is a well-known cause of infertility. The earlier the testicles are lowered into the bag, the less this risk is. Cancer may develop: The risk of developing cancer in the testicles of patients with undescended testicles is 15 times higher than that of normal men. There may also be an inguinal hernia: Although it does not always show any symptoms, in 65% of patients with undescended testicles, a hernia is detected during surgery and surgical treatment is performed. It creates psychological and aesthetic problems. It is more open to external factors.
Treatment age
The ideal is between 6 months and 1 year. However, the treatment should be completed by the end of the age of 2 at the latest. For whatever reason, undescended testis treatment should not be left after 2 years of age. If it unknowingly extends beyond 2 years of age, treatment should be done as soon as possible. If there is a hernia on the side of the undescended testis, then surgical treatment should be applied to a 1-month-old baby without waiting, if necessary. The success rate is very high after surgeries performed by skilled hands and pediatric surgeons. However, hormone therapy is a form of treatment with a low chance of success and a high probability of side effects. Consult your doctor for detailed information.
Is it possible to stay in the hospital? Is it difficult after the surgery?
Children with undescended testis surgery are discharged from the hospital on the same day and spend the first few hours at home after the surgery. This is much more advantageous both medically and psychologically for the child and his family. Post-operative discomfort is easily controlled with drugs that have painkillers and antipyretic properties. The younger the children, the more comfortable the post-operative period. Younger children always recover faster. Within two days, all children get up and start playing. After 3-4 days, they go to a pediatric surgeon who performs surgery for dressing and wound control. A late check is made after a few months. You can take a bath 4 days after the operation (after the first wound control). Sports such as wrestling, football, swimming and gymnastics are banned for 20 days. There may be slight swelling and bruises in the bag and groin after the surgery. These go away on their own within a few days or weeks. If there is excessive swelling and redness in the operation area; if blood and inflammation come from the wound; If you have symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, you should consult your doctor.
Before male babies are born, both testicles are in the baby’s abdominal cavity. As the baby continues to develop in the womb, the testicles begin to descend into the bag. After the intra-abdominal cavity, they pass through the inguinal region and settle in the bag close to birth. Rarely, the descent into this bag continues in the first 6 months after birth. If the testicles are not in the sac when a newborn boy is born, this is called a true undescended testis. It often happens on one side, sometimes on both sides. The important feature of the true undescended testis is that one or both testicles are never in the bag.
Shy testis (Retractile testis)
In case of shy testicles, the testicles are occasionally seen in the bag. However, they disappear by escaping upwards, towards the groin, especially in cases such as the effect of cold or the handling of the child’s lower parts. Shy testes, which are called retractile testicles in medical language, are mostly seen in the bag when the child has a fever, for example, when the child has a fever or when they are sitting in hot water in the bath tub or when the child is sleeping. Shy testicle is not considered a disease, it does not cause a problem in the future life of the child. It does not require any treatment (medication or surgery). However, it should be checked by a pediatric surgeon at 6-month intervals. It is an innocent event that is completely different from a real undescended testis.
Does true undescended testis resolve spontaneously?
According to statistics, undescended testis is seen 3 times more frequently in preterm babies compared to babies seen at normal time. Some of the undescended testicles descend until the end of 6 months. But after that it doesn’t go down anymore. It is the most common abnormality of the genitals of boys. It is found as a permanent disease in one out of every 100 healthy male babies. After the first 6 months, it should be treated as soon as possible. The testis can be inserted anywhere along the travel line in the mother’s womb and does not descend. 1. It may be stuck in the inguinal canal and not descended into the bag. It may have remained in the abdomen.
Can the testis disappear completely?
During its journey through the abdomen to the bag, the testis sometimes rotates around itself and the feeding vessels are twisted and occluded. Thus, the testicle rots and disappears. This condition, which reveals a serious disease picture after birth and manifests itself, does not give any symptoms when it is in the prenatal period and the baby is born without a testicle. Is everything clear with the inspection? Understandable in 80% of patients. Because in this percentage of patients, the testis becomes palpable in a part of the inguinal canal after careful examination by an experienced hand. However, in one-fifth of the patients, the testis is not palpable. When this happens, there are two possibilities. Either the testicle is in the abdomen. or not. Both reflection and many other expensive and difficult diagnostic methods will not help us here. The most definitive diagnostic method is laparoscopy. In other words, it is a method also known as bladeless surgery. For this purpose, the entire inside of the abdomen is seen by inserting a thin lighted lens through the hole drilled in the abdominal wall. In this way, it is determined whether there is a testicle and if it is in the abdomen, it is lowered into the bag by continuing the same method. In such cases, sometimes two-session surgeries are preferred. If there is no testicle, its residue should be found at that time and should be removed due to the risk of cancer that may occur in the future.
Why should an undescended testis be treated?
Prevents future childbearing: It is a well-known cause of infertility. The earlier the testicles are lowered into the bag, the less this risk is. Cancer may develop: The risk of developing cancer in the testicles of patients with undescended testicles is 15 times higher than that of normal men. There may also be an inguinal hernia: Although it does not always show any symptoms, in 65% of patients with undescended testicles, a hernia is detected during surgery and surgical treatment is performed. It creates psychological and aesthetic problems. It is more open to external factors.
Treatment age
The ideal is between 6 months and 1 year. However, the treatment should be completed by the end of the age of 2 at the latest. For whatever reason, undescended testis treatment should not be left after 2 years of age. If it unknowingly extends beyond 2 years of age, treatment should be done as soon as possible. If there is a hernia on the side of the undescended testis, then surgical treatment should be applied to a 1-month-old baby without waiting, if necessary. The success rate is very high after surgeries performed by skilled hands and pediatric surgeons. However, hormone therapy is a form of treatment with a low chance of success and a high probability of side effects. Consult your doctor for detailed information.
Is it possible to stay in the hospital? Is it difficult after the surgery?
Children with undescended testis surgery are discharged from the hospital on the same day and spend the first few hours at home after the surgery. This is much more advantageous both medically and psychologically for the child and his family. Post-operative discomfort is easily controlled with drugs that have painkillers and antipyretic properties. The younger the children, the more comfortable the post-operative period. Younger children always recover faster. Within two days, all children get up and start playing. After 3-4 days, they go to a pediatric surgeon who performs surgery for dressing and wound control. A late check is made after a few months. You can take a bath 4 days after the operation (after the first wound control). Sports such as wrestling, football, swimming and gymnastics are banned for 20 days. There may be slight swelling and bruises in the bag and groin after the surgery. These go away on their own within a few days or weeks. If there is excessive swelling and redness in the operation area; if blood and inflammation come from the wound; If you have symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, you should consult your doctor.
