[Discussion of new classification of epididymal malformation in cryptorchidism of children].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the new classification of epididymal malformation in cryptorchidism.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-three boys who were two to four year old underwent orchidopexy for cryptorchidism and 144 hydroceles who were two to eight year old were enrolled into control. Based on the observation of the status between testis and epididymia, the length of epididymis and the configuration of epididymis as well as spermaduct, we divided epididymal malformations in cryptorchidism into three types. Type I: obstruction of sperm transport, including I A, I B and I C; Type II: possible obstruction of sperm transport, defined by II A and II B; Type III: no obstruction of sperm transport, classified into III A and III B.


RESULTS
There were 47 (23.4%) out of 201 undescended testes with malformation of epididymides and 16 (10.3%) out of 155 testes in the control(P < 0.05). 11 of 48 cases of bilateral cryptorchidism had the same malformations, with 2 cases of type IB, 2 of IC, 1 of II A, 4 of III A and 2 of IV B underwent orchidopexy or orchiectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
These data showed that the incidence of epididymal abnormalities in cryptorchidism was higher than that in the hydroceles and it's not essential to have orchiectomy unlimitedly to serious epididymal abnormalities.
Zhang
Dian-Liang
DL
Institute of General Surgery, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command, PLA, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China.
Li
Zhen
Z
Xie
Jia-Lun
JL
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004822:Epididymis / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000473:pathology