Testicular growth was measured in 33 males who had undergone 2 orchiop
exies on the developing testis. Multiple surgery on the abdominal or c
analicular testis was associated with a high rate of testicular atroph
y (40%) and a 46% decrease in testicular volume. A similar decrease (4
3%) in testicular volume was noted in those patients with an infracana
licular testis but no testis atrophied in this group. The results sugg
est that primary orchiectomy be considered in the high testis provided
the contralateral testis is normal, or alternatively a Fowler-Stephen
s or microvascular transplant if it is not. Patients with an infracana
licular testis may undergo a careful second-stage orchiopexy. All pati
ents with retarded testicular growth should perform routine self-exami
nation.