Pronounced: or-kee-o-pecks-ee
Sometimes baby boys are born with one or both testicles inside the abdomen or groin, rather than in the scrotum. This is called undescended testicles . Orchiopexy is a surgery to lower the testicles into the scrotum. The scrotum is the external sac that holds the testicles.
Undescended testes
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The procedure is used to treat undescended testicles that do not move down on their own. If left untreated, infertility problems can develop later in life.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. Your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Talk to your doctor about these risks before the surgery.
Your child’s doctor and anesthesiologist will do the following:
Talk to the doctor about your child’s medicines or any recent illnesses. You may be asked to have your child stop or start certain medicines before surgery.
Other things to keep in mind before the procedure include:
General anesthesia will be used. Your child will be asleep during the surgery. He will not feel any pain.
Once your child is asleep, the doctor will make a small incision in one or both sides of the groin. The testicle is located and examined. If there is a hernia present, the doctor will also repair this.
Next, the doctor will create a pouch in the scrotum. The testicle will be pulled down into this new pouch. Stitches will hold the testicles in place. The stitches will dissolve on their own. All other incisions will be closed with stitches.
In some cases, a small button will be placed on the outside of the scrotum and secured with a suture. This will hold the testicle down until healing occurs. The doctor will remove the button by cutting the suture a few weeks after the procedure.
In most cases, your child can go home on the same day as the surgery.
One hour per testicle
Pain or soreness after the procedure will be managed with pain medicines.
When your child returns home, you may need to do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After leaving the hospital, contact the doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
American Family Physician
http://www.aafp.org/afp/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Pediatrics Society
http://www.cps.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
About Kids Health. Orchiopexy: surgery for undescended testicles. About Kids Health website. Available at: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/healthaz/Orchidopexy-Surgery-for-Undescended-Testicles.aspx?articleID=10179&categoryID=AZ1k . Updated July 31, 2009. Accessed August 16, 2010.
Campbell M, Wein A, Kavoussi L. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; chap 127.
Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. Orchiopexy. Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota website. Available at: http://www.childrensmn.org/Manuals/PFS/Surg/018757.pdf . Updated March 2009. Accessed August 16, 2010.
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Undescended testicle orchiopexy repair surgery. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh website. Available at: http://www.chp.edu/cs/Satellite?c=eHA_Content_C&cid=1209404825839&pagename=CHP/eHA_Content_C/CHP/Template/CHP_Layout_04_Content_Page_Template . Updated April 7, 2010. Accessed August 16, 2010.
Elyas R, Guerra LA, Pike J, et al. Is staging beneficial for Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy? A systematic review. J Urol . 2010;183(5):2012-2018.
Smith N, Carmack A. Undescended testes. EBSCO Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16&topicID=1034 . Updated July 1, 2010. Accessed August 16, 2010.
6/6/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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