Ensuring Your Child's Wellbeing
Dr. Mohsin: Specializing in
Pediatric Testicular Care
What is the meaning of undescended testicles?
Undescended testicles or Undescended testes, also known as cryptorchidism, is a condition that occurs in baby boys. In this condition, one or both testicles of the baby are not present in their proper position in the scrotum after birth. Surgery for undescended testis is the standard, successful, and permanent treatment. During the baby’s development in the womb, testicles of baby boys develop in the abdomen. Then, in the last couple of months of pregnancy, they move down into the scrotum (a bag of skin hanging below the penis) through a tube like a passageway in the groin. But in undescended testicles, this process is delayed or stopped, and the testicles do not descend down in the scrotum. ALSA Pakistan offers economical surgery for undescended testis and penile surgery in baby boys, because our priority is your good health.
Risk factors of Undescended testes
The exact reason for undescended testicles remains unknown, but it may occur due to a combination of changes related to genes, mother health, physical changes, and other environmental factors impacting the hormones. There are certain factors that make undescended testis more likely to happen, such as;
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- During pregnancy
- Diabetes or obesity in mother
- Family history, etc.`
Surgery for Undescended Testicles at ALSA Pakistan
We perform the surgery for undescended testis, which is called orchiopexy or orchidopexy, to move the undescended testicles in the scrotum and fix them there. We perform this procedure under general anesthesia. undescended testes surgery is a straightforward procedure with a high success rate.
- We make a small incision in either groin or lower belly to find the testicles and gently move down the testicles into the scrotum.
- We make a small opening in the scrotum to stitch the testicles at their place.
- And then we close the incisions.
- Your baby can go home on the same day.
Importance of Getting
Surgery for Undescended testis
Undescended testicles are not painful, and your child is not at risk of any immediate health problem. However, there are long term complications of undescended testes, including;
- Fertility problems
- Testicular cancers
- Penile torsion
- Inguinal hernia
- Trauma to testicle
Normally undescended testes are detected during the baby’s physical examination soon after birth. But if it is not detected during the physical examination and you note that one or both testicles of your child is not in their normal place, contact your doctor right away. In most cases, testicles usually move down naturally into the scrotum during the first 3 to 5 months. At ALSA Pakistan, we ideally perform undescended testicle treatment within 6 to 12 months of age. It is very important to get the surgery for undescended testis before your child reaches 2 years of age to avoid complications later in life.
Undescended Testicle Surgery Cost in Pakistan
The Updated cost of undescended testicles in Pakistan ranging from 100k to 150k on one side and 150k to 200k on both sides.
A baby with undescended testicles will feel no discomfort and is not in imminent danger of any medical issues. Patients from all across Pakistan come to ALSA to see our top pediatric surgeon Dr Mohsin who offers a revolutionary treatment for testis problems in children, newborns, and teenagers. However, from anesthetists to caregivers to surgeons, every member of our surgical team has advanced training in pediatric care. We collaborate to make the environment for your child experiencing retractile testis as pleasant and secure as possible. In addition, our highly experienced and competent team routinely conducts some of the most advanced minimally invasive surgical testis operations in children at very affordable costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child has undescended testis?
Unfortunately, there are no specific diagnostic tests for undescended testes, such as ultrasound. However, one or both testicles may be missing for a baby with an undescended testis. So, if both are undescended, the scrotum will appear unusually small or flat. However, if one of the two testes is missing, the scrotum seems lopsided. Hence, a simple diagnostic exam by an expert pediatrician can confirm if your child suffers from the condition. On the other hand, the only way is surgery to ensure that the child is suffering from the undescended testis.
How to prepare for the surgery?
The surgery proceeds under general anesthesia; therefore, there are some important rules to follow regarding the patient’s food intake, such as the following.
- If the child is older than 12 months, you must not give any solid food or non-clear liquids after midnight of the night before the surgery. For example, avoid giving such milk, formula, pulp juice, candies, etc.
- For infants under 12 months, formula-fed babies can be fed up to 6 hours before the scheduled surgery, and breastfed babies can be nursed up to 4 hours before the surgery.
- You can give only clear liquids such as water and juices up to 2 hours before the surgery. Please ensure that you only provide the fluids you can see through. For example, apple juice or white grape juice.
- During the 2 hours before the surgery, you must not give your child anything to eat or drink.
Will my baby be fertile and able to have children of his own?
Men with one undescended testicle can have children. However, fertility is just half of the normal. However, corrective surgery at a young age can restore their fertility to the same as if they never had the issue of undescended testicles. Furthermore, according to the research, if the surgery is performed at less than 2 years old, there is an ample chance of recovery for testicular growth. Hence, an early orchiopexy improves the subsequent testicular catch-up growth, and your baby will be fertile and healthy enough to have his children.
Are there any risks of the orchiopexy surgery?
It is a quick surgery of nearly 45 minutes. However, the possible complications or risks are just as much as in surgery. For example, swelling, bleeding and bruising at the site of the incision. Moreover, the wound may also get infected. The testis may move back up into the groin.