Descent of testis

Descent of testis:

At deep inguinal ring— 7th month of intra uterine life.

In inguinal canal — 8th month of intrauterine life.

At superficial inguinal ring — 9th month of intrauterine life.

Ectopic testis-testis abnormally placed outside its path

Retractile testis- in infancy 80% of inapparent testis are rectractile testis & require t/t

Undescended testis-  testis arrested in some part of its path to the scrotum

§  m.c. in preterm,small for gestational age, LBW, twin neonates

§  m.c. on right side

§  Secondary sexual characters – normal

§  Approx. 70—75% of cryptorchid testis spontaneous descent usually by 3 months of age

§  Most undescended testicles descend spontaneously, so that by one year of age, the prevalence decreases to <1% which is similar to that in adults

§  Spontaneous descent rare  after  age of 6 months -----  the optimal time for surgical correction is as soon as possible after  6  months

§  If a child comes at 7 months------- answer should be manipulation/examination followed by sugery.

§  Orchidopexy for cryptorchidism is done at age  -----------  6months-12 months (before 1 yr)

§  Complications of incomplete descent

o   torsion of testis

o   epididymo-orchitis

o   indirect inguinal hernia

o   atrophy

o   pain

o   sterility

o   malignancy