Orchidopexy Health Dictionary

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Orchidopexy: From 3 Different Sources

An operation to bring down an undescended testis (see testis, undescended) into the scrotum. Orchidopexy is usually performed at age 2–5 to reduce the risk of later infertility or testicular cancer (see testis, cancer of).
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
When testes do not descend into the scrotum, normally in young children (CRYPTORCHIDISM), an operation is performed to correct this. This is called surgical orchidopexy. The main reason is probably cosmetic; however, a testis which has descended is less likely to become cancerous than one which has not. It is less likely that treatment improves future fertility.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. the operation of mobilizing an undescended testis in the groin and fixing it in the scrotum. The operation should be performed ideally before two years of age to allow the testis every chance of normal development (see cryptorchidism).
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Cryptorchidism

An undescended testis (see TESTICLE). The testes normally descend into the scrotum during the seventh month of gestation; until then, the testis is an abdominal organ. If the testes do not descend before the ?rst year of life, they usually remain undescended until puberty – and even then, descent is not achieved in some instances. Fertility is impaired when one testis is affected and is usually absent in the bilateral cases. The incidence of undescended testis in full-term children at birth is 3·5 per cent, falling to less than 2 per cent at one month and 0·7 per cent at one year. Because of the high risk of infertility, undescended testes should be brought down as early as possible and at the latest by the age of two. Sometimes medical treatment with HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN is helpful but frequently surgical interference is necessary. This is the operation of orchidopexy.... cryptorchidism

Testis, Ectopic

A testis that is absent from the scrotum because it has descended into an abnormal position, usually in the groin or at the base of the penis. The condition is most often discovered soon after birth during a routine physical examination. It is treated by orchidopexy. (See also testis, undescended.) ... testis, ectopic

Testis, Undescended

A testis that has failed to descend from the abdomen to the scrotum. The condition usually affects only 1 testis and occurs in about 1 per cent of full-term and 10 per cent of premature male babies. An undescended testis often descends within months of birth but rarely descends after this time. An undescended testis does not develop normally, is incapable of normal sperm production, and is at increased risk of developing testicular cancer (see testis, cancer of). If both testes are undescended, infertility results.

A diagnosis is made during a physical examination after birth or later in infancy.

Treatment is by orchidopexy, which usually reduces the risk of later infertility or testicular cancer (see testis, cancer of).

A poorly developed undescended testis may be removed if the other is normal.... testis, undescended


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