THE RESULTS OF SURGICAL THERAPY FOR CRYPTORCHIDISM - A LITERATURE-REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

Purpose: The literature was reviewed to consolidate the diverse success rates reported for orchiopexy. Materials and Methods: A total of 64 articles pertaining to 8,425 undescended testicles was reviewed and found to contain evaluable data, Success was defined as scrotal position and lack of atrophy. Results: Success rates by anatomical testicular position were 74% for abdominal, 82% for peeping and 87% for canalicular testes, and 92% for those located beyond the external ring, Success rates by procedure were 89% for inguinal, 67% for Fowler-Stephens, 77% for staged Fowler-Stephens, 81% for transabdominal, 73% for 2-stage and 84% for microvascular orchiopexy. Conclusions: The significant failure rate for proximal testes suggests that efforts to improve orchiopexy should continue.