Undescended Testes (Cryptorchidism)

• Found in approximately 1% of 1 year old boys
• Represents failure of the testes to descend into the scrotal sac
• May be accompanied by genitourinary malformations such as hypospadias
• Testicular descent occurs in two stages;
  • The first transabdominal stage, controlled by Mullerian-inhibiting substance
  • The second is the inguinoscrotal phase which is androgen dependant
• Defects in transabdominal descent are rare accounting for 5-10%
• It is asymptomatic
• Unilateral in most cases, bilateral in 25% of cases
• When the testes lie in the inguinal canal they are particular susceptible to trauma
• Bilateral cyptorchidism may result in sterility
• Undescended testis are at greater risk of developing testicular cancer
• During the first year of life , the majority of inguinal testis descend spontaneously
• Histological deterioration occurs by 2 years of age – requires to be surgically corrected before this time