ABSTRACT

Testis 103

Introduction 103

Technique 104

Results 110

Complications 110

Ovary 111

Introduction 111

Techniques 113

References 114

TESTIS

Introduction

Cryptorchidism affects 0.8% of all males, with rates approaching 3% in neonates. Premature infants are noted to have a higher incidence of undescended

testes, although this approaches that of full-term infants as they catch up with

their counterparts in age. Nearly one in five of all these children will have an

intra-abdominal testis, while an additional cohort of patients will have a poorly

localized gonad within the inguinal canal. Surgical management of cryptorchid-

ism has been advocated for several reasons. (i) Scrotal placement of the testis

allows for easier monitoring and self-examination of the gonad to detect solid

masses, since these testes carry a significant increased risk of malignancy (1).

(ii) Various authors have found that these testes appear to be histologically

normal appearing prior to age 1 (2). Early orchidopexy may therefore avert or

ameliorate the decreased fertility that has been associated with this anomaly.

(iii) The improved cosmetic appeal of a more “normal” appearing scrotum

cannot be underestimated for the psyche of young males.