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By Dr Madhu Mohan Reddy
Senior Pediatric Surgeon
Orchiopexy Procedure Benefits Risks Care at Medicover Frequently Asked Questions

Orchiopexy

Orchiopexy is a surgery used to treat an undescended testis. During fetal development, the testicles usually descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. In undescended testis Condition the testis does not move downward.

The orchiopexy procedure involves placing the testicle into the scrotum. Being in the scrotum decreases the temperature of the testicle, which aids in sperm production later in life. The testicles in the scrotum also reduce the risk of testicular cancer. An orchidopexy to treat undescended testicles is best performed in early childhood, just before or around the age of 12 months.

Orchiopexy

Procedure

Before the Procedure

  • As with any surgical procedure, you will be asked not to feed your child anything after midnight on the day before the surgery.
  • If your child is on any medications, you will have to discuss this with your doctor and instructions will be given to you.
  • The procedure will not be performed if your child is currently taking or has recently taken any medication that may interfere with the ability to clot his blood. Aspirin-like compounds and all related pain relievers and anti-inflammatory compounds are the most common of these medications.

During the Procedure

  • Our anesthesiologists administer general anesthesia to reduce pain and discomfort.
  • If the surgeon can feel the undescended testicle during a physical examination, it indicates that it is closer to the skin's surface. The orchiopexy can usually be performed as an open procedure by using incisions in the scrotum and sometimes the groin. Then the pediatric surgeon locates the testicle in the abdomen and carefully moves it down into the scrotum.
  • If the undescended testicle cannot be felt, the pediatric surgeon will insert a small camera through an incision into the abdomen to locate it, then move it from the abdomen to the scrotum. Sometimes the testicle is so far away from the scrotum that it cannot be brought down in one procedure and requires a second surgery.
  • Finally, your surgeon will stitch the incisions with sutures.
  • Typically, the procedure is completed in an hour, and the patient can return home on the same day.

After the Procedure

  • Once the child gains consciousness after surgery will be able to eat and drink immediately. The majority of children who have this surgery return home the same day.
  • It is normal for children to experience nausea for the first 24 hours following anesthesia. You should encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids. It doesn't matter if he's not eating for a day or two as long as he takes fluids.
  • You should keep the wounds dry for 5 days after surgery. Do not give your child a bath for 5 days, but you can clean the area with wet wipes. It's important to visit your doctor after a week to check the wound.
  • Give your child pain relievers as advised by your doctor for the first couple of days after the operation.

Benefits

The benefits of orchidopexy surgery include:

  • Placing an undescended testicle in its normal position in the scrotum. This may improve the testicle’s function and prevent it from being damaged.
  • Easier to examine testicles and check for any problems during adulthood like testicular cancer.
  • Helps prevent fertility problems and may reduce the risk of testicular cancer.
  • Surgery can boost self-esteem. A scrotum that is empty or partially empty can make a child feel bad about himself and his body, especially during adolescence.
  • This surgery reduces the risk of testicular injury. A boy is more likely to sustain a sports injury if his testicles are in the groin than the abdomen.

Risks

Possible complications include:

  • Infection.
  • Bleeding or blood clots in the scrotum.
  • The testicles move out of the scrotum again (reascend) after surgery and need more treatment. This is rare.
  • If the sperm tube or blood vessels are damaged during the operation, this can result in insufficient blood getting to the testicle. This can cause testicle atrophy.

Care at Medicover

At Medicover Hospital, we have an eminent team of pediatric surgeons to perform orchiopexy for all our patients. We offer top-notch facilities, the latest treatment protocols and advanced technologies, which has made us one of the best hospitals in India. We are one of the best orchiopexy procedure specialists to provide the best treatments at affordable costs.


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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is orchiopexy?

Orchiopexy is a surgical procedure performed to correct undescended testes. It involves bringing one or both testicles from the abdomen into the scrotum and fixing them in place.

2. Who needs orchiopexy?

Orchiopexy is typically performed on young boys with undescended testicles. It is recommended when the testicles fail to descend into the scrotum by the age of 6 months to 1 year. In rare cases, adult men may also undergo orchiopexy for testicular torsion or other conditions.

3. How is orchiopexy performed?

Orchiopexy is typically performed under general anesthesia. The pediatric surgeon makes a small incision in the groin, and the testicle is carefully pulled down into the scrotum. The surgeon then stitches the testicle in place to prevent it from moving back into the abdomen.

4. What are the risks associated with orchiopexy?

The risks associated with orchiopexy are generally low but may include bleeding, infection, injury to surrounding tissue, and damage to the testicular blood supply.

5. What is the recovery time for orchiopexy?

Most boys are able to go home on the same day as their surgery. Recovery time varies, but most boys are able to resume regular activities within a few days to a week after the surgery.

6. Will orchiopexy affect fertility?

Orchiopexy may improve fertility by bringing the testicles into the scrotum, where they can develop properly. However, if the surgery is not performed early enough, it may not be able to restore fertility completely.

Citations

https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.orchiopexy-for-undescended-testicle.rt1139
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/undescended-testicles-(cryptorchidism)
https://www.chop.edu/treatments/surgery-undescended-testicles-orchiopexy
https://www.stlukesonline.org/health-services/health-information/healthwise/2017/06/27/13/19/orchiopexy-for-undescended-testicle
https://www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials/childrensmn/article/15950/orchiopexy/