IMPACT OF EARLY ORCHIDOPEXY ON TESTICULAR GROWTH

Objective To assess the impact of early orchidopexy on post-operative testicular growth. Patients and methods One-hundred and ninety boys (a ge range 1 week to 15 years at the time of initial diagnosis) underwen t surgery for the repair of unilateral cryptorchidism, and the relativ e testicular size was assessed before and after operation. Results Whe n compared with the size of the uninvolved testis, testicular size inc reased after surgery in 11.6% of cases and decreased in 2.6%. Testicul ar growth was more common among children operated when younger than 18 months (P=0.016) than when older. Conclusion The testicle may grow wh en orchidopexy is performed in children younger than 18 months.