The effect of electromagnetic field on undescended testis after orchiopexy

Undescended testis is a common problem leading to infertility. After orchiopexy some studies support the necessity of hormonal therapy. Electromagnetic field stimulation on living tissues increase cell proliferation, protein and DNA synthesis.Sixteen prepubertal rats was objected to the fixation of left testes to the anterior abdominal wall for 30 days, right testes were removed. Another group of sixteen rats objected only to the right orchiectomy and a manipulation simulating study group without fixation. After orchiopexy, animals were divided into two groups. Both groups had eight rats. Electromagnetic field (EMF) stimulation group had the stimulation for two hours every day for ten days, while the second group did not. The sham group also divided into two groups. The first one applied EMF and name as Group CEM, the second one was sham. Weight of removed testes were measured and fixed in 10% formaldehyde for histopathological evaluation. At the creating of undescended testis and right orchiectomies a blood sample was obtained for testosterone level of prepubertal rats. After finishing EMF stimulation the rats were mated with females for 17 days. After fertility study a blood sample was obtained for testosterone assay and body weight were measured and fixed in formaline for histopathologic evaluation. All the rats were killed with overdose ether anesthesia and number of fetuses were recorded. Histopathological evaluation was based on Johnsen criteria and seminiferous tubule diameter measurements.We conclude that EMF stimulation resulted in Leydig cell proliferation, increase in testosterone level, testis weight, but decrease in germ cell population.     

Perioperative surgical findings in congenital and acquired undescended testis

Purpose

Perioperative surgical findings in congenital and acquired undescended testis (UDT) were prospectively assessed.

Methods

We included all boys with congenital or acquired UDT who underwent orchidopexy at our hospital between January 2006 and August 2009. Perioperatively, we scored the position and volume of the testis, the insertion of the gubernaculum, the patency of the processus vaginalis, and the obtained position.

Results

We included 69 boys (aged 0.9-14.6 years) with 76 congenital UDT and 28 boys (aged 2.2-18.5 years) with 30 acquired UDT. In the congenital group, the testis was in intracanalicular position in 55 cases (72%), whereas in the acquired UDT group, this was in 11 cases (37%; P < .001). The insertion of the gubernaculum was at the bottom of the scrotum in 13 cases (17%) of the congenital UDT group and in 12 cases (40%) of the acquired UDT group (P < .05). The processus vaginalis was open in 63 cases (83%) of the congenital and in 9 cases (30%) of the acquired UDT group (P < .001).

Conclusion

Compared to congenital UDT, acquired UDT are more likely to be situated in the superficial inguinal pouch, to have a normal insertion of the gubernaculums, and to have a closed processus vaginalis.     

Results of orchiopexy for the undescended testis

The undescended testis is one of the most common congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary system. Outcomes of orchiopexy include (1) having a viable, palpable testis in the scrotum, (2) fertility, as measured by paternity rates or semen analysis in adulthood and (3) risk of testicular cancer. Multiple operative techniques have been described and are associated with various success rates. In the past decade, success of orchiopexy for inguinal testes has been >95%. For abdominal testes, success for orchiopexy has been >85–90% in most series with single stage orchiopexy or two stage Fowler–Stephens orchiopexy, both with open surgical or laparoscopic technique. However, having a palpable testis in the scrotum does not assure fertility, as there are iatrogenic factors that may adversely affect the outcome. In adult men with a history of unilateral orchiopexy, fertility is nearly normal, but is significantly reduced following bilateral orchiopexy. The risk of testicular carcinoma is increased by a factor of 3.7 to 7.5 times. Tumor type is most commonly seminoma if the testis is undescended, whereas tumors that occur following orchiopexy are much more likely to be nonseminomatous.     

Urogenital nonunion—a rare anomaly associated with the undescended testis

Complete urogenital nonunion presenting as complete separation of the epididymis and testicle is a rare condition. The anomaly has an embryologic basis and frequently is associated with an undescended testis. We present a case of complete separation of the testis and epididymis found incidentally during an exploration of an undescended testicle palpable in the inguinal canal. We also provide a review of this topic and management strategies.     

Undescended testis in older boys: further evidence that ascending testes are common

Introduction

We recommend orchiopexy between 9 and 18 months of age for surgical, testicular, and psychological reasons. However, in practice, we observed many patients coming to orchiopexy at a later age. To understand this difference better, we reviewed our experience with patients undergoing late orchiopexy.

Methods

We reviewed retrospectively the office medical records of all boys who had undergone an orchiopexy between July 1997 and April 2006. We defined a “late” orchiopexy as that performed at 4 years of age or later. Each boy was examined carefully by a pediatric urologist, and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings were reviewed.

Results

There were 191 late orchiopexies in 177 patients (from a total of 587 orchiopexies in 552 patients). Median age at the operation was 7.2 years (range, 4.0-16.2). Preoperatively, the testes were palpable in 140 (72%) and nonpalpable in 51 (28%). The apparent reason for the late orchiopexy was an ascending testis (previously descended) in 85 (45%), parental delay in 41 (22%), late referral in 39 (20%), and iatrogenic cryptorchidism in 18 (9%). Ascended testes were more likely to have a history of being retractile (85% vs 30%), to have a patent processus vaginalis (78% vs 54%), and to be localized to the superficial inguinal area (87% vs 50%).

Conclusions

Primary care provider and parent education on the benefits of early orchiopexy is important, but in addition, ascending testes are much more common than previously thought. Patients with retractile testes should be followed regularly.     

Testicular atrophy after attempted pediatric orchidopexy for true undescended testis

Background/Purpose

A normal testis in the scrotum is the most important outcome of the attempted pediatric orchidopexy for a true undescended testis. The reports of post-orchidopexy testicular atrophy in the literature have ranged from non-existent to unclear. Our purpose in this study was to estimate the incidence of and associated risk factors for post-orchidopexy testicular atrophy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of data from children who had an attempted orchidopexy for a true undescended testis from 1969 to 2003 inclusive. REB approval 1000011987.

Results

There were 1400 attempted orchidopexies involving common (low) type (n = 1135), ectopic type (n = 174), and high type testes (n = 91). There were a total of 111/1400 (8%) atrophic testes, mostly right-sided. 66/111 (59%) were MADE atrophic, and 45 (41%) were FOUND atrophic. Of the 1135 common type, 56 (5%) were MADE atrophic. In the ectopic and high types, the incidence of post-operative testicular atrophy was 1% and 9%, respectively.The most significant risk factors associated with testes MADE atrophic were high testicle, vas problems, and pre-operative torsion.

Conclusions

In this series, the incidence of post-operative testicular atrophy that was MADE was 5% in the common (low) type and 9% in the high type. These numbers and the above risk factors should be quoted to the caregiver during pre-operative informed consent.     

Pattern of presentation and management of patients with undescended testis at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center,Tanzania

ObjectiveTo assess the pattern or presentation, management and advice given to the parents or guardians of patients with undescended testes (UDT) at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Tanzania.Subjects and methodsFrom July 2010 to May 2011, 30 patients with UDT were prospectively evaluated regarding age at surgery, place of birth, information given to parents or guardians, side and site affected, results of ultrasonography, findings on surgical exploration, follow-up and surgical outcome.ResultsThe median age at surgery was 6 years (range 1–36 years), 4 patients (13.3%) had orchidopexy before 2 years of age, 6 (20%) before 5 years and 4 (13.3%) after 18 years of age. The UDT was on the right side in 56.7%, on the left side in 26.7%, bilateral in 16.7%, in the inguinal region in 70% and in the abdomen in 30%. An associated malformation was found in 53.5% of patients: a hernia sac in 13 (43.3%), hypospadias in 2 (6.7%) and a hydrocele in 1 (3.3%). The UDT was detected by the parents in 13 cases (43.3%), by the patient himself in 9 (30%) and by health care staff in 8 cases (26.7%). Only 10 parents (33.3%) received advice from health care staff: 6 were advised for surgery and 4 were advised to await spontaneous descent. Preoperative ultrasonography was false negative in 56% of cases. Orchidopexy was performed in 28 (93.3%) patients (the testis was secured in the scrotum in 23 and in the high inguino-scrotal position in 5), and 2 (6.7%) underwent orchidectomy. At 3-month follow-up the testes were situated in the scrotum (not retracted) in 25 patients (3 were lost to follow-up).ConclusionsThe late presentation detected in this study is alarming, because the majority of patients were diagnosed and treated after 2 years of age. The role of ultrasound in diagnosis of UDT is limited. Health care workers should perform neonatal examination to detect UDT and inform parents that early correction of UDT will decrease the risk of infertility and facilitate future examination to detect the development of testicular malignancy.     

Revascularization of the testis using a vascular induction technique: a potential approach for staged orchiopexy in high-undescended testis

The present study was designed to determine whether a fasciovascular flap as a vascular carrier could be used to revascularize the undescended testis for avoiding the hazardous effects of the Fowler-Stephens procedure, high division of the spermatic vessels, and for bringing high-undescended testes into the scrotum. A total of 25 Wistar rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. In each group, surgical procedures were performed bilaterally, i.e. ten testes in each group, as follows: sham-operated controls (group 1), undescended testes (group 2), high division of the spermatic vessels (group 3), vascular induction with immediate division of spermatic vessels (group 4), and with delayed division of spermatic vessels (group 5). Evaluations were done by measuring the testicular weight and volume, testicular blood flow, and testicular biopsy scores and by microangiography. A moderate to severe decrease in testicular weight and volume in all experimental groups was observed compared with the sham-operated controls (group 1), but this was significantly less in groups 2 and 5. High division of the spermatic vessels in groups 3 and 4 resulted in a significantly greater decrease in the testicular blood flow, but this did not occur in group 5. Microangiographically, an impaired vascular supply from the deferential artery in group 3 and insufficient revascularization from the fasciovascular carrier in group 4 were observed. However, efficient revascularization stemming from the superficial epigastric artery of the fasciovascular flap was found in group 5. The testicular biopsy scores of groups 2 and 5 were significantly greater than those of groups 3 and 4. The results of the present study demonstrate that the fasciovascular flap as a vascular carrier revascularizes the testis through spermatic vessels after delayed division and provides an adjuvant treatment modality or first-stage procedure in a salvage operation for high-undescended testis during staged orchiopexy.Presented at the 10th Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Research Council Meeting, October 18–19, 2001, Tokyo, Japan.     

Laparoendoscopic single site orchiopexy

We report a laparoendoscopic single site orchiopexy in a 2-year-old boy with a right nonpalpable testis. Diagnostic laparoscopy using a 5-mm port revealed a right intraabdominal testis. The 5-mm port site was extended to accommodate the smallest commercially available triport, and orchiopexy was performed. The operative time was 55 minutes, and the estimated blood loss was minimal. There were no complications, and surgical and cosmetic results were excellent. Laparoendoscopic single site surgery is a feasible technique for orchiopexy of the nonpalpable testis.     

Laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy for recurrent undescended testes in children

Objective

Reoperative orchidopexy is a technical challenge to pediatric surgeons. The laparoscopy-assisted procedure is described for securing the testis in the scrotum in patients with a past history of open orchidopexy and testes in an unsatisfactory position.

Patients and Methods

Thirty-one patients with 35 abnormally positioned testes (4 bilateral) were evaluated. All patients had a past history of inguinal surgery, and ages ranged between 2.5 and 13 years (mean, 5.5 years). Previous surgical procedures included 32 orchiopexies and 3 testicular detorsion of undescended testis. If needed, inguinal dissection was performed to loose the adherence between the cord and inguinal canal. Laparoscopic orchidopexy was applied to allow the testis to remain in the scrotum without tension. Patients underwent follow-up every 3 months after the operation with physical and ultrasound examinations.

Results

Ten low inguinal testes were treated directly with open inguinal redo orchidopexy, whereas laparoscopy-assisted orchidopexy was possible in 23 (92%) of the remaining 25 reoperations. In 2 (8%) of these cases, severe scarring was present between the cord and the inguinal canal impeding the laparoscopy-assisted orchidopexy. For laparoscopy-assisted procedure, the operation time was 42 to 67 minutes (mean = 52 min). After the laparoscopy-assisted reoperations, 23 (92%) testes remain within the scrotum after a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 6-32 months).

Conclusion

When feasible, laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy is a simple and effective technique for securing testicles in reoperative orchiopexy procedures.     

经阴囊单切口与腹股沟阴囊双切口睾丸下降固定术的对比研究

目的 比较经阴囊皮纹单切口(Bianchi术)与传统经腹股沟及阴囊双切口睾丸固定术治疗儿童低位隐睾的临床疗效、微创优势及适应证选择. 方法 回顾性研究2006年3月至2011年5月72例(78侧)行睾丸下降固定术的隐睾患儿资料,患儿均能在麻醉状态下将睾丸推出外环口及以下.以年龄相差不超过3个月、术前睾丸位置相同、术者相同、隐睾侧别相同为配对条件,采用1:1配对分组的方法将患者分为Bianchi术(A组)和经传统腹股沟及阴囊双切口睾丸下降固定术(B组),两组均为36例39侧.平均年龄为5.4岁(A组)、5.5岁(B组).比较两组平均手术时间、平均恢复站立活动时间、术后并发症、手术成功率. 结果 72例手术均顺利完成.两组平均手术时间分别为33、41 min,差异有统计学意义(P =0.0022).平均恢复站立活动时间分别为1.2、5.4d,差异有统计学意义(P=0.0003).随访3～ 65个月,两组均未发生睾丸萎缩、睾丸回缩、腹股沟斜疝、鞘膜积液等并发症. 结论 Bianchi术具有手术时间短、创伤小、术后痛苦小、恢复快、美容等优势,可用于治疗麻醉状态下能将睾丸推出外环口及以下的隐睾.     

腹横纹切口保留睾丸引带阴囊皮下睾丸固定术治疗隐睾症的研究

为了研究治疗先天性隐睾症的最佳术式，以提高隐睾症的治疗水平，采用腹横纹切口保留睾丸引带明囊皮下睾丸固定术（研究组）治疗隐睾症96例110枚，获得随访者94例108枚，同时采用患倒下腹斜切口肉膜囊睾丸固定术（对照组）治疗隐睾症50例62枚。结果研究组睾丸大小及硬度化94枚，占87．0％，良9枚，占8．3％，差5枚，占4．6％；睾丸位置优93枚，占86．1％，良9枚，占8．3％，差6枚，占5．6％；无睾丸萎缩及回缩，外表美观。对照组睾丸大小及硬度优41枚，占66．1％，良7枚，占11．3％，差14枚，占22．6％；睾丸位置优43枚，占69．4％，良8枚，占12．9％，差11枚，占17．7％。经统计学处理，两组睾丸大小及硬度方面比较有极显著性差异（P＜0．01），睾丸位置比较也有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。认为腹横纹切口保留睾丸引带阴囊皮下睾丸固定术损伤小，外表美观，明显降低了睾丸萎缩及回缩等并发症，符合生理要求，疗效满意。     

Single scrotal incision orchiopexy for palpable undescended testis

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the Bianchi single scrotal incision technique for orchiopexy in boys with palpable undescended testis. METHODS: A total of 35 orchiopexies were performed in 28 patients. The patent processus vaginalis was dissected and cut high without ligation, while in Bianchi's original procedure, the patent processus vaginalis is dissected up to the external inguinal canal, ligated high and divided. Testicular size and position were assessed at 2 and 6 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: The single incision technique was successful in all cases. All testes were satisfactorily positioned in the scrotum. All testes showed good anatomical and cosmetic results at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Single scrotal incision orchiopexy without ligation of the patent processus vaginalis has proved to be simple, safe and effective in selected cases compared with the standard two-incision approach in the treatment of palpable undescended testis.     

Factors affecting the outcome of orchiopexy for undescended testis

Orchiopexy was performed on 135 testes in 121 patients aged up to 15 (median 6) years who had no previous inguinal surgery or hormonal treatment. Hypoplasia at the time of orchiopexy (34/135) was significantly less common when the testis was in or peripheral to the superficial inguinal ring than when it was intracanalicular. The position did not influence the outcome of surgery or the risk of postoperative hypoplasia (9 cases). At follow-up 87% of the testes were in the scrotum. Reoperation was required for four of nine which were anchored to the femoral skin or with suture through testis and scrotal wall. Tension on the spermatic cord significantly increased the failure risk. Simultaneous herniotomy was associated with 15%, and dissection only (including excision of the vaginal process remnant) with 6% orchiopexy failure. Retroperitoneal dissection to avoid tension on the cord significantly reduced the failure rate without increasing the risk of postoperative hypoplasia. Orchiopexy performed with optimal technique by experienced surgeons is a safe and effective alternative to hormonal treatment.     

Fowler-Stephens手术治疗高位隐睾12例报告

目的:探讨Fowler-Stephens手术方法治疗高位隐睾的效果。方法:报告12例高位隐睾患者的临床资料。12例均患侧阴囊空虚,并在腹股沟不能扪及隐睾,其中9例通过B超及CT明确定位了高位隐睾位置,3例不能明确定位。手术先找到隐睾,在输精管汇入精索以上位置行Fowler-Stephens试验,明确手术方法可行后在该处离断精索,将隐睾下降固定于阴囊,术中注意避免对精索进行广泛游离。结果:12例患者经6个月~3年的随访,10例睾丸的大小、质地及多普勒彩超结果满意,2例发生睾丸萎缩。结论:Fowler-Stephens手术是治疗高位隐睾的有效方法。提高手术成功率关键在于:选择好手术适应证;术中避免对精索的广泛游离,不要破坏精索血管与输精管间的系膜,以保全侧枝循环对睾丸的血供。     

Bilateral orchidopexies: synchronous or metachronous? Survey of BAPS and BAPU members and single-centre comparison

Background/Aim

Approximately 20% of undescended testes (UDT) are bilateral. It is unclear whether bilateral orchidopexy (BO) should be undertaken synchronously (SBO) or metachronously (MBO). Our aim was to investigate current UK practice and the complications of SBO vs MBO.

Surgical findings in acquired undescended testis

Background/purpose

The aim of this study was to retrospectively review the findings at orchidopexy in acquired undescended testis (UDT).

Methods

The authors reviewed a 14-year (1986 through 1999) surgical experience in 360 boys in whom 461 orchidopexies were performed for acquired-UDT. The operative notes were reviewed to determine at operation testis position and volume, persistence of patent processus vaginalis (PV), and attachment of the gubernaculum. Also, testis position after orchidopexy was evaluated.

Results

Age at operation ranged from 2 to 19 years (mean, 8.9 years), 205 of the 461 orchidopexies (44.5%) had been performed between 9 and 12 years of age. In 327 of the 461 cases (70.9%), testis position was documented as intraoperative; in 281 of these cases (86.0%), the testis was located in the superficial inguinal pouch (SIP). A note was made regarding the presence or absence of a hernial sac in 207 of the cases: 113 (54.6%) were associated with an open PV, which usually was slightly open. In 122 of the 461 cases (26.5%), the gubernacular attachment was assessed; in 121 of these (99.2%), a normal attachment of the gubernaculum was noted. At the end of orchidopexy, in 438 of the 461 cases (95.0%), testis position was recorded. Three hundred eighty-two of these testes (87.2%) were at the bottom of the scrotum.

Conclusions

Acquired UDT usually is characterized by SIP position, closed or (small) open PV, and normal gubernaculum attachment. The results of surgery seem excellent.