Bengaluru: Timely diagnosis and treatment of undescended testis in boys can play an important role in protecting future fertility and preventing long-term complications, experts have cautioned. Dr. G. Harica Reddy, MS, M.Ch, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, Medicover Children’s Surgery Centre, Medicover Women & Children Hospital, Whitefield, Bengaluru, urged parents not to overlook the condition, also known as cryptorchidism.
An undescended testis occurs when one or both testes do not move into the scrotum before or shortly after birth. While spontaneous descent can occur during the initial months of life, any testis that has not descended by six months of corrected age should be evaluated promptly by a pediatric surgeon.
According to Dr. Harica Reddy, routine well-child visits should include regular examination of the testes. The assessment should confirm that both testes are located in the scrotum, remain there without tension and have not subsequently moved upwards after earlier descent. Specialist consultation is recommended when a testis remains undescended beyond six months, when a previously descended testis is later found outside the scrotum, or when both testes are not palpable.
She further advised parents against delaying treatment in the hope that the condition will resolve as the child grows or that symptoms will appear. Parents should also avoid obtaining unnecessary ultrasound scans before consulting a specialist, as clinical examination by a pediatric surgeon is generally adequate to guide management.
Orchiopexy is the recommended surgical treatment and is ideally carried out between six and 12 months of age, with surgery advised no later than 18 months. Timely correction helps support normal development of the testis, improves future fertility potential and may lower the risk of future complications.
“A normal newborn examination does not replace repeated assessment during routine well-child visits. In some children, a testis that was previously in the scrotum may move upwards later, making regular follow-up essential. If parents are unsure whether the testis is retractile or truly undescended, they should consult a pediatric surgeon without delay,” said Dr. G. Harica Reddy.
Medicover Women & Children Hospital advises parents to maintain regular pediatric check-ups, as early detection, appropriate referral and timely treatment can contribute significantly to better long-term health outcomes.
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