Testicular growth from birth to two years of age, and the effect of orchidopexy at age nine months:: A randomized, controlled study

Aim: To study whether surgical treatment at age 9 mo in boys with congenital unilaterally palpable undescended testes ( cryptorchidism) is followed by improved growth of the previously retained testes compared to non-treatment. Methods: At the age of 6 mo, 70 boys were randomized to surgical treatment at 9 mo and 79 boys to treatment at 3 y of age. The boys were then followed at 12 and 24 mo. Ultrasonography was used to determine testicular volume. Results: After orchidopexy, the previously retained testes resumed growth and were significantly larger than the non-operated testes at 2 y (0.49 ml vs 0.36 ml, p < 0.001). Testicular growth after orchidopexy was also demonstrated by a higher mean ratio between the previously retained and the scrotal testes of the individual boys at 2 y: 0.84 for the surgically treated group, compared to 0.63 for the untreated group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Surgery at 9 mo has a beneficial effect on the growth of previously undescended testes.