Undescended Testicle

 Pathophysiology

Undescended testicle (or Cryptorchidism) is a condition seen in newborns when one or both of the male testes have not passed down into the scrotal sac. Cryptorchidism is more commonly seen in premature males because the testes do not descend from the abdomen to the scrotal sac until the seventh month of fetal development.

 Disease statistics

Cryptorchidism or undescended testis is one of the most common congenital conditions in the pediatric population. The prevalence of cryptorchidism in full-term newborns ranges between 1% and 3%, while in premature boys it is reported to be as high as 30% .

 Disease treatment

It may include: Hormonal therapy- Hormone injections like (B-HCG or testosterone) to try to bring the testicle into the scrotum and is not usually recommended because it is much less effective than surgery, and Surgical repair- To bring the testicle into the scrotum and can be done either with a laparoscope or with open surgery.

 Major research

Open surgery and laparoscopic surgery appear to work just as well as each other for undescended testicles in the belly.