ORCHIDOPEXY

What is an undescended testis?

An undescended testis is when the testis is not fully down in the boy’s scrotum. The testis first develops near the kidney when the baby boy is inside the mother’s womb. For the testis to drop down into the scrotum there needs to be a passage through the groin area. Sometimes the testis remains inside the tummy cavity, but much more commonly it becomes stuck in or close to the groin passage. An undescended testis is not uncommon at birth, especially in premature boys. The testis may ‘drop’ of its own accord in the first 6 months of life, but is very unlikely to do so after this time. The testis needs to be located in the scrotum in order for it to be kept cooler than the rest of the body and to produce normal sperm when the boy is older. Ideally this operation should be performed before the boy is 12 months of age.

General description

The aim of the procedure is to fix the testis in the scrotum. The operation is performed as a day-case under general anaesthesia. Generally the operation takes about 45 minutes.

Preparations

Your child will need to fast for solids and liquids generally for about 6 hours before the start of the procedure. In breast-fed infants this time may be reduced after consultation with the anaesthetist. Please ring the Day Surgery Unit the working day before surgery to confirm these times. It is often helpful to bring your child’s favourite toy with you on the day.

Anaesthesia

You and your child will meet the anaesthetist on the morning of the procedure. After talking to you and briefly examining your child, they will take you through to the operating theatre. One parent is welcome to accompany your child until they are asleep. The anaesthetist puts your child to sleep via a face mask (with children 5 years and over there is the option of a face mask or a needle with numbing cream). You will then be shown the waiting room where there is tea, coffee or chilled water available to drink. Once your child is asleep, the anaesthetist will insert a ‘drip’ to allow fluids to be given directly into a vein. Usually this is located in the hand or arm, but occasionally may need to be sited in the leg or scalp.

Procedure

The groin area and scrotum is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A local anaesthetic block is injected into the area so that the site of the operation is numb after the operation. This block usually lasts for about 4 to 6 hours. A cut is made in the groin on the side of the undescended testis, with a second smaller cut at the bottom of the scrotum on the same side. Once the testis has been found, it needs to be carefully released so that it can be brought into the scrotum. This will often involve removing a small hernia near the testis. The hernia must be peeled off two important tubes: the blood vessel to the testis and the sperm tube. This usually allows the testis to be placed in the scrotum. The wounds can then be closed with dissolving stitches which are buried under the skin in the groin but which will be visible in the scrotum. A clear water resistant dressing is then placed over each wound.

If the testis is very high in the groin or inside the abdominal cavity, a laparoscopic orchidopexy may be performed. This involves inserting a small telescope through the umbilicus, with typically two further incisions about 5mm in size in the lower in the abdomen for special instruments to enable the testis to be mobilised into the scrotum. If the blood vessel to the testis is very short, occasionally two operations approximately 3 months apart may be required for the best chances of success.

Initial recovery

After the operation has finished, your child will be taken to the recovery area. Once awake, you will be called into the recovery ward. Often children appear mildly distressed and a little confused initially. There may be several reasons for this, including residual effects of the anaesthetic, hunger and some discomfort. Generally they will settle quite quickly, especially if offered a drink or feed. The recovery ward staff are also able to give pain relief medication once your child is awake and sometimes this is required. The ward staff will also check the wounds and make sure you are happy before you go home. Usually this will be about 2 hours after the surgery.

As a result of the local anaesthetic nerve block, your child may complain of a numb sensation in the groin and in some cases some weakness in the leg on the side of the surgery. This is temporary and will generally settle within a day or so of the operation.

Post-operative course

There may be a small amount of blood that oozes from the edges of the dressing, enough to lightly stain a nappy or pair of underpants. Paracetamol (‘Panadol’) should be given on the afternoon and evening of surgery, and in the morning of the following day. After that time, assess your child’s pain to see if further doses are required. Follow the manufacturer’s dose instruction but never give more than 4 doses in a 24-hour period and never both at the same time. Older children may require a stronger medication such as ‘Painstop Day-time’ if over one year of age. Your child should not be bathed on the first night, but nappies can be changed as required and a ‘wet-wipe’ or similar cloth used. Showers are safe from the next day onwards after the dresings have been covered by some cling film or Glad Wrap. There may be a small amount of blood that oozes from the wound under the dressing in the first 24 hours. Generally the dressing does not need to be changed, but if you are concerned please discuss with your local doctor or myself. It is quite normal for the scrotum and testis to swell after the operation and there may also be some bruising. This represents the body’s normal response to the operation and settles within the first few weeks.You should remove the dressing completely after a long bath on the fifth day after the operation. No further dressings are then required.

Your child can begin eating when he gets home. Start with clear liquids (apple juice, iceblocks) and add solid food slowly and in small amounts. Your child may vomit from the anaesthesia on the day of surgery. This should stop by the morning after surgery.

Return to activity

Your child may return to day care or school when comfortable, usually within 3-5 days. He should not participate in sports or swimming for 3 weeks after the surgery and should not ride straddle toys (bikes, walkers) for 2 full weeks after surgery. You should continue to use your car seat.

Call our office or contact the emergency department on given numbers if:

  • You see any signs of infection: redness along the incision site, increased swelling, foul smelling discharge from incision
  • Your child’s pain gets worse or is not relieved by painkillers
  • There is bleeding (small ooze of blood in the first day or two is normal)
  • Your child has a high temperature
  • Vomiting continues on the day after surgery
  • You have any questions or concerns

Follow up 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Follow-up

Normally I see you and your child about 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. This is both to ensure that the wounds have healed and that you and your son are satisfied with the results of the operation. Please ring soon after the operation to book the post operative appointment to arrange a convenient time. Boys are normally followed up for about 2 years after their surgery to make sure that the testis stays down as the boy grows.

Problems & further surgery

Generally this procedure is straightforward, but there is a 10% chance that the testis may not stay in the scrotum following surgery. In this situation a further operation will be required, usually about 6 to 12 months after the first procedure. During the operation there is a very small risk (less than 1%) of damage to the blood vessels to the testis and the sperm tube. This risk is minimised by the use of magnification during the procedure and usually can be both detected and repaired at the time of operation should this occur. As with any surgical procedure, there is always a 2-3% risk of a wound infection or bleeding after surgery. Any boy that has had an orchidopexy should wear a cricketbox when playing contact sports or sports which involve a hard ball. Also, after puberty, boys should be instructed to perform testicular self examination on a monthly basis because of the increased risk of testicular cancer in a previously undescended testes.