SURGICAL OUTCOME OF ORCHIDOPEXY .2. TRAPPED AND ASCENDING TESTES

Objective To review the outcome of orchidopexy in boys with testicular ascent. Patients and methods The case notes of all the boys who underwent orchidopexy over an 18-year period, under the care of a single consultant, were collected. The reports of patients who at the initial assessment had normally descended testes and subsequently developed maldescent, were reviewed. Results At the time of the initial assessment, 69 boys (77 testes) had normally descended testes but subsequently developed maldescent. In the intervening period, 37 of these patients (38 testes) had undergone inguinal surgery for a hernia or a hydrocele (trapped testes). The remaining 34 patients had not undergone surgery and were designated as having an 'ascending testis'. The results of surgery were excellent in all but six cases. Of these, five testes failed to reach the bottom of the scrotum and one was excised. A hernial sac was found in 16 of 28 boys with a trapped testis in whom the data was recorded. Conclusion Testicular ascent is uncommon and can occur spontaneously or following ipsilateral groin surgery where scarring is a likely aetiological factor. The results of surgery are usually excellent.