Is Orchiopexy a major or minor surgery?

Orchiopexy, the most common surgical procedure for correcting a single descending testicle, has a success rate of nearly 100 percent. Fertility for males after surgery with a single undescended testicle is nearly normal, but falls to 65 percent in men with two undescended testicles.

Does Orchiopexy surgery hurt?

You can expect to feel better each day, although you may have some mild to moderate pain for several days after surgery. You may need pain medicine during this time. Your scrotum will be swollen after surgery.

What age should Orchiopexy be done?

Orchiopexy should not be performed before 6 months of age, as testes may descend spontaneously during the first few months of life. The highest quality evidence recommends orchiopexy between 6 and 12 months of age.

Is Orchiopexy surgery necessary?

Why would someone need orchiopexy? There are two situations that require orchiopexy to correct, undescended testicle and testicular torsion. Typically, undescended testicles are corrected early in childhood to prevent future complications such as infertility and increased risk of testicular cancer.

How serious is an undescended testicle?

If the testicles don’t drop into the scrotum, they may not function normally and produce healthy sperm. This can lead to infertility later in life. Males born with undescended testicles also have a higher risk of testicular cancer in adulthood.

Is Orchiopexy safe?

Orchiopexy is considered a safe and reliable procedure that has relatively few risks. It is best to choose a surgeon and hospital staff who have training and experience in this procedure and in the special needs of children.

What happens after undescended testicle surgery?

What happens after an undescended testicle repair? Although this is an outpatient procedure, your surgeon may advise less activity or possibly bed rest for a few days afterward. Your child may need to avoid strenuous activity for at least a month so the scrotum has enough time to heal.

How long does Orchiopexy surgery take?

During the surgery, your child will be given a numbing medication—either an injection in the low back called a caudal (COD-ull) or directly into the incision (in-SIZH-yun), or cut—to relieve discomfort after the surgery. This surgery takes about 45 minutes, but recovery from the anesthesia might take several hours.

What is the difference between Orchiopexy and Orchidopexy?

Orchiopexy (or orchidopexy) is a surgery to move and/or permanently fix a testicle into the scrotum. While orchiopexy typically describes the operation to surgically correct an undescended testicle, it is also used to resolve testicular torsion.

Is undescended testicle a birth defect?

Sometimes, one testis or both testes fail to descend, which is called undescended testis or undescended testicle. Undescended testicle is a birth defect that occurs in as many as 3% of boys, making it one of the most common birth defects seen. It is more common in premature infants than those born at full term.

What happens if an undescended testicle is left untreated?

An undescended testicle that is left untreated can lead to future health problems. These include an increased risk of infertility and cancer.

Can Orchiopexy cause infertility?

Undescended testicles may increase the risk of infertility. However, boys who have one undescended testicle tend to father children at the same rate as those who are not affected by the condition at all.

What kind of surgery is an orchiopexy procedure?

He is an associate professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. An orchiopexy is a surgical procedure that repairs an undescended testicle, or that prevents a testicle from retracting.

How long do you stay in the hospital after an orchiopexy?

If the surgeon had to make an incision in the abdomen to find a non-palpable testicle before performing the orchiopexy, the child may remain in the hospital for two or three days. The doctor will usually prescribe a pain medication for the first few days after the procedure.

How is the orchiopexy of the testicle done?

The testicle is located and carefully pulled down into the pouch. The testicle is stitched into place, and the incisions are stitched closed. Orchiopexy is usually very successful with excellent prospects for fertility. The surgery usually is done on an outpatient basis, and bedrest is recommended for two to three days afterward.

Do you wake up crying after an orchiopexy procedure?

The patient may wake up crying. These effects, however, will wear off once the anesthesia is out of the child’s system. For parents whose child has had the procedure, the most important job is to stay calm and keep the baby or child calm and relaxed, both before and after the surgery.