Undescended Testicle

Testicles can be in the scrotum by the time the boy is 6 months old, but can be retractile up until puberty.

  • Overview
  • Treatments
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    • Overview of Undescended Testicle

    I can only see one of my son’s testicles?

    • The testicle can be absent from the scrotum either because:
      • The testicle is retractile (able to go up and down)
      • The testicle has not dropped into the scrotum
    • Testicles can go up and down between the scrotum and the groin in young children.
    • Young children have a strong muscular reflex that can lift the testicle back into the groin.
    • The best way to check if the testicle has dropped into the scrotum is to look when he is in a warm bath and crossing his legs.
    • If the testicle is retractile, as your son grows, you will notice the testicle sitting more often in the scrotum.

    My son has an undescended testicle – what happens next?

    • Testicles are formed in the baby’s tummy and drop down into the scrotum through the groin by the time the baby is born
    • 4% of newborns have an undescended testicle which drops to 1% of 1 year olds
    • If the testicle hasn’t dropped into the scrotum by 6 months old, the guidance is to operate to free the testicle from the groin and fix it into the scrotum
    • If the testicle can’t be felt in the groin, it may still be in the tummy or may not have developed at all

    Treatments for Undescended Testicle

    Orchidopexy

    If the undescended testicle sits within the groin, your son will need an operation to bring the testicle into the scrotum.

    The operation involves a general anaesthetic and is a day case procedure.

    A small cut is made in the groin above where the testicle can be felt. The testicle is then freed up and fixed into the scrotum with a small stitch.

    If the testicle cannot be felt within the groin your son will need to have an operation where a camera is placed into the tummy to look for the testicle (Laparoscopy).

    At Laparoscopy there are 3 outcomes:

    • The testicle hasn’t developed – no further action required.
    • The testicle is present in the abdomen – the testicle is then freed up, and a further operation to fix the testicle into the scrotum will be done in 6 months.
    • The testicle is present in the groin (but can’t be felt) and can be fixed into the scrotum as above.

    Next Steps

    Get fast access to leading specialists for the swift diagnosis and treatment of urological conditions in a private clinic environment.

    If you would like more information or wish to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist consultant urological surgeons then please either Call 0118 920 7040 or complete the form below.

    Insured patients

    Contact your GP and ask for a referral to the Urology Partnership.

    All consultations, investigations and treatments are covered by major insurance companies (depending on policy).

    Funding your own treatment

    Self-funding initial consultation fee is £205. Follow up fees are £165.

    Consultation charges are exclusive of any tests and other investigations that the consultant may wish to carry out.

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