Open Access

PEDIATRIC UROLOGY

Cryptorchidism: experience and reason

Kyrollis Attalla, Eric Arnone, Pierre Williot, Saul P. Greenfield

Department of Pediatric Urology, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Saul P. Greenfield, Department of Pediatric Urology, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant Street, Buffalo, NY 14222 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2017, 24(4), 8941-8945.

Abstract

Introduction: To characterize our contemporary clinical experience with cryptorchidism.
Materials and methods: The records of boys referred for cryptorchidism were reviewed from 2001 to 2011. Data regarding the incidence of retractile testes, testicular ascent, surgical approach and outcomes were tabulated. Follow up was both early (< 12 weeks) and late (> 12 weeks).
Results: A total of 1885 patients, or 2593 testes, were identified. Eight hundred and forty-one children (45%) or 1204 testes (46%) were retractile on initial exam--57% bilateral; 187 testes (7%) later "ascended" on re-examination and underwent surgery--15% bilateral; 1340 (85%) testes were palpable in the inguinal canal and underwent inguinal orchidopexy--98% were successful; 69 (4%) of initially palpable testes were found to be atrophic and removed; 167 (11%) testes were non-palpable and underwent laparoscopy--46 were atrophic and removed; 31 were vanishing; 33 were brought down using an inguinal approach at the same sitting with 97% success; 47 underwent staged Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy (FSO) and 10 underwent non-staged FSO, with 82% and 78% success respectively. All second stages were performed open.
Conclusions: Almost half of children referred for cryptorchidism had retractile testes. Surgery for later ascent was required in 16% of testes judged to be retractile at a median age of 8 years, emphasizing the need for repeat examination. High success rates with inguinal orchidopexy were achieved, even in non-palpable testes. Testes requiring FSO were uncommonly encountered-approximately 5 testes/year or 4% of testes undergoing surgery-and success was achieved in approximately 80%.

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