FAQs undescended testis
When child is in mother’s tummy, both the testicles are inside baby’s tummy. However, as 9 months of pregnancy progresses, both the testicles are supposed to come down in scrotum (Bag of testis beneath the penis)
However, in some kids testis may get stuck either inside tummy or at groin. In majority of cases, testis stuck in groin comes down to normal location in first 6 months of life, Testis situated inside the tummy rarely comes down. So we always ask parents to wait and watch for 6 months of life. If there is no descent in first six months, chances of testis coming down by itself are very less.
1. WHAT IF TESTIS DOESNT COME DOWN?
Answer : If testis doesn’t come down, testis will remain exposed to higher temperature. The scrotum being hanging from body it is cooler than other body parts.
If testis remains at higher temperature, it is at higher risk of
a. Damage of testis
b. Development of cancer
c. Testicular torsion
These are three reasons why testis can not be allowed to be at place other than scrotum.
2. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF TESTIS IS DAMAGED?
Answer: If testis is damaged, it stops functioning.
3. WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF TESTIS?
Answer: Testis produces following two important things.
a. Sperms
Sperms are important for baby making in adult life. For Baby to form, seed from mother (called as ovum) and seed from father (called as sperm) is necessary.
b. Testosterone
It is a male hormone. You must have observed that boys at the age of 14-15 years, develops certain changes in body like appearance of hair in mustache and beard area, man like voice and attraction towards females. This hormone is required for such changes.
If testis is damaged, that testis will not produce above two things.
4. SO WHAT IS TREATMENT FOR THIS?
Answer: The rule is that either testis has to be in scrotum or it should not be in body. So if your child remains to have undescended testis even after 6 months of observation he needs surgery (Orchiopexy) to pull testis in scrotum.
5. WHAT IS IDEAL AGE TO OPERATE?
Answer: Ideal age is 6 months to 12 months of age. Different studies has now proved that sperm cells starts getting destroyed after one year of age and sperm production gets completely hampered after 2 years and the damage is permanent.
6. HOW DO WE KNOW TESTIS IN GROIN OR IN TUMMY?
Answer: Your doctor by examination will answer to this question. When in doubt, he amy advise sonography of that region.
7. DOES KNOWING LOCATION OF TESTIS CHANGE THE TREATMENT
Answer: Yes. If testis is in groin, it can be pulled in scrotum in single small-cut surgery which will be day care (same day discharge). But if it is inside the tummy, it needs laparoscopy for diagnosis and surgery (i.e. using endoscope through belly button) and most of the times two stages are required with gap of 3 months.
8. MY CHILD HAS ONE TESTICLE AT NORMAL PLACE; WILL HE HAVE PROBLEM IN FUTURE MARRIED LIFE?
No. If your child has one normal testis, he will not have problems. But it does not mean other testis should be put at risk. It is just like two eyes. Even if one eye is damaged, still he can see the entire world and we never allow any damage to any eye.
9. WILL THIS TESTIS FUNCTION AFTER SURGERY?
Answer: if testis is not dysgenetic (means faulty by nature) it will keep functioning.
10. ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION?
Answer: If during surgery, surgeon find that condition of the testis is not healthy and not sure about its function, he may ask your consent to remove the dried up testis. Because it will not function and will keep on carrying risk of cancer, its better to remove such testis.
11. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF ONE TESTIS IS REMOVED?
Answer: If other testis becomes very precious you will be provided instruction leaflet separately if testis is removed. To avoid psychological problems in such kids, now testicular implants are available.
