Undescended Testicle
Undescended testicle is the condition where, at birth, either one or both of the testes are not present in the scrotum. Since complete descent only occurs towards the end of pregnancy, this is a condition more common in premature babies. Often the testicles are merely retractile - they can be found in the groin, lurking in the inguinal canal, the track via which they pass from the abdomen to the scrotum. If the testicle can be persuaded to descend into the scrotum by gentle massage, then normal development will occur without further intervention. If it stays stubbornly in the inguinal canal surgery will be needed to bring it into the scrotum - a process called orchidopexy. It’s necessary to do this for a number of reasons: Undescended testicles are less fertile, more likely to develop malignancy and a cause of embarrassment to the adolescent. Rarely, the testicles may be located within the abdominal cavity. Ultrasound examination will localise an intra-abdominal testis: if it cannot be moved surgically into the scrotum it is usually removed because of the risk of developing malignancy.
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