Undescended testicle (UDT) – also known as cryptorchidism – means that a testicle hasn’t moved into its proper position in the scrotum before birth.
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The testicles are formed in the abdomen before your baby is born. While the baby is developing, the testicles follow a pathway from the abdomen through the groin and into the scrotum.
In up to 5% of boys, the testicle does not complete this journey and this results in a testicle that is not in the scrotum and is located somewhere along this path, possibly still in the abdomen.
An undescended testicle (UDT) is usually detected by the parents or your pediatrician as an empty scrotum on exam. Your child's provider will likely attempt to determine whether they can feel the testicle in the groin canal. If not, it is possible that the testicle is still in the abdomen.
An ultrasound may be helpful in finding the testicle that cannot be felt.
Surgery is required to bring the testicle to its normal location in the scrotum for three reasons.
For best results, the surgery should be performed prior to your child turn 1 year of age. Depending on where the testicle is, this may be done with a single surgery through an incision in the groin or may require 2 or 3 operations including an exploration of the abdomen to find the testicle. Eventually, the testicle will be brought down and sutured to the scrotum - a procedure called “orchidopexy.”
There is a higher chance of developing testicular cancer in patients with a history of an undescended testicle. Therefore, routine testicular self-exam should begin when the patient transitions through puberty and into adulthood.
