What is an undescended testis?
In some boys one or both testes stay in the groin or belly instead of settling in the scrotum. The scrotum may then look small, flat or empty on one side.
What to look for
- One side of the scrotum is smaller or empty; sometimes both.
- A testis that can be felt in the groin but slips back up.
- Often found by the parents during a bath, or by a doctor at a routine check.
Why it should not be left
A testis that stays too warm inside the body may not develop normally. Untreated, it can affect fertility later, is harder to examine for problems, and is more prone to twisting. Some testes do come down by themselves in the first few months. If it has not happened by around six months, it is unlikely to.
Treatment
The usual operation is orchidopexy: the testis is freed and fixed in the scrotum through a small cut. It is generally advised between about 6 and 18 months of age. If the testis cannot be felt at all, a laparoscopic look inside the belly can find it and treat it in the same sitting. Both testes are done if both are undescended.
See a surgeon soon if
- A testis was once in the scrotum and is now missing.
- There is sudden pain or swelling on that side (this may be torsion; go to hospital immediately).
Common questions
How long can we wait?
Give it until about six months. After that, advice is to operate and not to wait beyond the second birthday.
Can it be treated with medicine or injections?
The reliable treatment is surgery. Your surgeon will explain if anything else applies to your child.
This page is for general information for parents. Every child is different: after examination and tests, an experienced paediatric surgeon decides the condition and the method of treatment. So for any problem, please consult a registered paediatric surgeon.