Why do we operate on undescended testicles?
There are several reasons to perform an operation, called an orchidopexy, to bring an undescended testicle into the scrotum. Fertility The most important concern of the patient with an undescended testicle and his parents is related to the possibility of impaired fertility. When a testicle is not in the scrotum, it is exposed to higher temperatures than when it is in the scrotum and this is felt to impair the production of sperm. Irreversible microscopic abnormalities in undescended testicles are noted even in the first year of life, so it is believed that orchidopexy must be performed early in order to promote fertility. However, factors other than temperature, such as hormonal irregularities, are also likely to be involved in the abnormal development of undescended testicles. For this reason, the effect of orchidopexy on ultimate fertility is not completely clear. Overall, we feel that if orchidopexy is to have a chance of augmenting fertility it should be performed by 6 to 12 months
