A Prospective Study of 206 Cases of Cryptorchid Testes with Particular Reference to Their Location and Morphological Changes

Abstract

Background: The undescended testis is a common congenital anomaly, occurring in about 1 to 2 per cent of the male population at birth, and in 0.8 per cent of boys at one year of age. Cryptorchid testes are frequently associated with gross morphological changes with regard to size and shape of the tests, various degrees of detachment between the epididymis and testis as well as histological changes.

Objective: To study the incidence and types of cryptorchid testes in different age groups and correlation between location of undescended testes and associated gross and microscopic changes in different patients.

Methods: 206 male children were operated in the department of General Surgery at our institute from January 2019 to December 2024. Cases were analysed according to the age, type and location of cryptorchid testes, any testicular atrophy, epididymal and vassal anomalies and histological changes. The results were analysed and conclusions drawn.

Results: There was not a significant difference between the incidences of undescended testes on two sides. 74.75 % patients were older than 4 years and the mean age at presentation was 6.7 years. The frequency of abdominal undescended testes increased with increase in age while that of suprasrcotal testes decreased with increase in age. Most testes in suprascrotal position were normal or had mild atrophy (80%) while intracanlicular, internal ring and abdominal testes showed moderate to severe atrophy (79.56%). Testes at abdominal positions showed moderate or profound epididymal (49.46%) and vassal (32.25%) anomalies. Orchidectomy or testicular biopsy specimens showed an incidence of Seminomas has 3.76% in intra-abdominal testes while high scrotal, inguinal canal and internal ring testes showed an incidence of 0.00%, 1.61% and 2.15% respectively.

Conclusion: It was concluded that even though the necessity for early surgical correction is well established, these patients at least in our region, still tend to present very; late for undergoing surgery, with consequent increased risks of infertility and malignant transformation.