THE EFFECT OF 2-STAGE ORCHIOPEXY ON TESTICULAR GROWTH

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.