Cryptorchidism - Unrevealing the Cryptic Facts
Mens Health > Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism is a physical condition. It is not a very serious physical drawback. Therefore, it cannot be termed as physical disability or abnormality. Initially testicles are formed in the abdomen of the male fetus. However, just before birth, his testicles come down through inguinal canal to the scrotum. However, when a testicle does not descend it is called "undescended". The medical terminology used for this drawback is cryptorchidism. Sometimes, it becomes a bit complicated when both the testicles do not descend.
Less than 1% of boys have some form of cryptorchidism. Out of that, around one fifth have their both the testicles undescended. Most of the times, testicles descend on their own during the first year. However, from second year onwards, if they do not descend on their own then surgery becomes necessary for undescended testicle. Otherwise, many complications can occur in later stages. However, before going for the surgery, several examinations of the infant should be carried out to confirm cryptorchidism.
The surgery in cryptorchidism helps in a number of ways like fertility, cosmesis and prevention of cancer, hernia etc. The temperature of abdomen is more than that of the scrotum. Since sperm producing cells thrive better in cool temperature, therefore bringing the testicle down into the scrotum at the earliest insures good fertility after growing up. A testicle in the abdomen is very much prone to injury and developing cancer. Moreover, a hernia sac is usually associated with an undescended testicle, which has to be removed during surgery. Scrotum looks better with descended testicles otherwise, it looks abnormal with an empty sac.
Surgery in cryptorchidism is a painless procedure. Usually laparoscopy is used, in which an incision in the abdomen is required. A lighted telescope is placed in the incision for looking for the missing testicle. Many a times the testicle is absent, but if it is there, the surgeon brings it down to the scrotum.