The management of retained testis based on our investigations.
The follow-up examinations of 300 children operated for retained testis are reviewed. A total of 128 children (i.e. 42.6% of them) were operated up to the desirable 3 years of age, while 37 children, i.e. 12.3% of the patients, were over 13. The examinations recommended for judging objectively the pathological state, i.e. the condition of the testicles, are surveyed. (i) In operations performed over the age of 3 years, collection of samples for histological study to judge the condition of the testicular substance. (ii) Volumetry of the testis performed by an orchidometer of the authors' design, which provides comparative information for establishing the developmental conditions. (iii). During the diagnostic and control examinations, the simple, rapid, inexpensive and non-invasive foil thermography was found useful which may furnish comparative data on the blood supply and the position and size of the testicles. The results of 322 operations, i.e. 95% of the patients, could be followed up and according to them, 286 operations (i.e. 89%) were revealed to be successful. The operative technique is also described. The role of retained testis in fertility is analysed. It is pointed out to be decisive in further improvement of the results that the children be operated as early as possible but at least up to their age of 3 years! This requires a certain change of attitude and a better organized paediatric urological care from the physicians in this field.
D001284:Atrophy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D013817:Thermography