title: Histological evidences suggest recommending orchiopexy within the first year of life for children with unilateral inguinal cryptorchid testis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimal timing for orchiopexy, we evaluated the histological parameters of the cryptorchid testis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively performed testicular biopsy in a total of 65 consecutive children with palpable unilateral inguinal cryptorchid testes. For controls, we used testicular histological slides from 15 age-matched children with testicular tumor. To investigate the fertility potential, we analyzed the parameters including mean tubular diameter (MTD), mean tubular fertility index (MTFI), germ cell count/tubule (GCC), Sertoli cell index (SCI) and interstitial fibrosis index (IFI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MTFI and GCC in children < or =1 years of age were significantly higher than those of other older age groups. The MTFI, GCC and IFI were significantly better in patients < or =2 years of age when compared to those of > 2 years. Compared to the controls, the MTFI and GCC in the patients were significantly worse in those aged > 2 years at surgical repair. In the < or =2-year age group, the MTFI and GCC of the cryptorchid testis showed a decreasing tendency with age, which were contrasting with the ascending curves in the control and the curves crossed at 1-2 years of age in each parameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To protect fertility potential, we recommend, orchiopexy should be performed within the first year of life, and no later than 2 years of age in patients with palpable inguinal cryptorchid testes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, #50 Ilwon-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul 135-710, Korea. khpark@smc.samsung.co.kr
authors.forename: Kwan Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Joo Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Joon
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sang Don
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007264:Inguinal Canal; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies