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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your son has an undescended testicle, his doctor may recommend surgery for diagnosis and potential treatment:
- Laparoscopy. A small tube containing a camera is inserted through a small incision in your son's abdomen. Laparoscopy is done to locate an intra-abdominal testicle. The doctor may be able to fix the undescended testicle during the same procedure, but an additional surgery may be needed in some cases. Alternatively, laparoscopy may show no testicle present, or a small remnant of nonfunctioning testicular tissue that is then removed.
- Open surgery. Direct exploration of the abdomen or groin through a larger incision may be necessary in some cases.
References
- Ashley RA, et al. Cryptorchidism: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2010;37:183.
- Cooper CS, et al. Undescended testes (cryptorchidism) in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- Lao OB, et al. Pediatric inguinal hernias, hydroceles, and undescended testicles. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2012;92:487.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 28, 2013.
- Granberg CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 28, 2013.
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