What is an orchidopexy?

An orchidopexy is an operation to bring a testicle down into the scrotum. The testicles develop in a baby boy's abdomen when he is in the womb. The testicles usually move down into the scrotum by 35 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes a testicle does not come down normally.

What are the benefits of surgery?

Surgery should prevent your child from having serious complications. Your child’s fertility should improve, particularly if both testicles need to be brought down, and he will find it easier when he is an adult to examine his testicles to check for any problems.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

If a testicle has not reached the scrotum by the age of 3 months, it is unlikely to do so without surgery. There is no other way of bringing the testicle down into the scrotum.

What will happen if I decide that my child will not have the operation?

Leaving the testicle may reduce your child’s fertility. It may also delay any cancer being detected. It also increases the risk of other complications, such as torsion or trauma, and may reduce fertility.

What does the operation involve?

The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Your surgeon will usually perform the operation through a cut on the groin and a small cut on the scrotum.

Your surgeon will free up the testicle and bring it down into the scrotum.

If your surgeon finds a small testicle that is unlikely to function, they will usually remove it.

What complications can happen?

The healthcare team will try to reduce the risk of complications.

Any numbers which relate to risk are from studies of people who have had this operation. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for your child.

Some complications can be serious and may even cause death.

General complications of any operation

• Bleeding during or after the operation.
• Unsightly scarring of the skin.
• Infection of the surgical site (wound).
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.

Specific complications of this operation

• Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) under the wound.
• Shrinking of the testicle, if the blood vessels are damaged.
• The testicle may return to its original position.
• Prevention of sperm passing to the penis, if the vas is damaged. This affects only sperm from the testicle with the damaged vas.
• Reduction in fertility of a testicle that is brought down, if a complications happens.

The risk of one of the above complications happening increases the higher the testicle was originally.

Consequences of this procedure

• pain
• unsightly scarring of the skin

How soon will my child recover?

He should be able to go home the same day.

It is usual for children to return to school after about a week.

Most children make a full recovery and can return to normal activities.

Summary

An orchidopexy is an operation to bring a testicle down into the scrotum.

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