Testicles develop in abdomen and descend down in to scrotum before birth. If the testicle is unable to descend completely in to scrotum, the condition is called Undescended Testis. It may be inside the abdomen or in the groin. It is commonly seen on one side, but it may be on both the sides.
Right Inguinal Hernia
Left Inguinal Hernia
Right Hydrocele
If bowel gets trapped outside of the belly, then its blood supply can be cut off which is dangerous and requires immediate surgery.
In girls, the ovary is the most common organ that is found within the hernia.
It is a common condition seen in up to 3% of boys. Premature boys have a higher incidence of this condition.
A bulge in the groin or empty scrotum on one side may suggest an undescended testicle.
Clinical examination by your doctor confirms the diagnosis. However, sometimes ultrasonography is required. If the testis is in the abdomen, no tests will be able to confirm the presence and location of the testis in abdomen with 100% accuracy. Laparoscopy will be the final answer.
The possible risks are, damage to the testis, torsion of the testis (a surgical emergency) and development of tumor in abdominal testis.
The testis should be brought down in scrotum by Surgery called Orchiopexy. When the testis is inside abdominal cavity a laparoscopic surgery is required. A two stage laparoscopic approach may be required in select cases.
The recommended age is before one year. The surgery should preferably be done between 9 months and one year of age. However, if it is associated with inguinal hernia, it should be done as soon as possible regardless of the age. If the condition is diagnosed after one year, surgery should be done as soon as possible.
When a normally developed testis shrinks to a nonfunctional remnant like tissue during fetal life, it is called a vanishing testis.
If the surgery is done before one year of age, the outcome is excellent. The catch up growth and function of the undescended testis will be nearly identical to its counterpart.