Undescended testis - current trends and guidelines: a review of the literature.
The best mode of undescended testis (UDT) treatment remains controversial. However, knowledge gained from randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses allowed different groups of researchers to set out guidelines on management of patients with UDT. The authors reviewed recent literature and came to the following conclusions: (1) Hormonal treatment is not recommended, considering both the immediate results (only 15-20% of retained testes descend) and the possible long-term adverse effects on spermatogenesis. (2) Surgery is the treatment of choice; orchiopexy is successful in about 95% of UDT, with a low rate of complications (about 1%). (3) Orchiopexy should be performed between 12 and 18 months of age, or at first contact if diagnosed later.
Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Jerzy K
JK
Niedzielski
Second Department of Urology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Elżbieta
E
Oszukowska
Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Jolanta
J
Słowikowska-Hilczer
cryptorchidism; fertility; hormonal treatment; malignancy; surgical treatment; undescended testes