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. 2020 Sep 14:12:373-381.
doi: 10.2147/RRU.S271869. eCollection 2020.

Trends in the Treatment Outcomes and Features of Cryptorchidism in Boys: A Single-Institute Experience

Affiliations

Trends in the Treatment Outcomes and Features of Cryptorchidism in Boys: A Single-Institute Experience

Shunta Hori et al. Res Rep Urol. .

Abstract

Purpose: Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital abnormalities in pediatric urology, and orchiopexy is performed for the prevention of testicular damage and malignant transformation. We examined the distribution and outcomes of cryptorchidism under a single investigator at our institute.

Patients and methods: This retrospective study included 283 boys diagnosed with cryptorchidism at our institute. Cryptorchidism was diagnosed based on the medical history and physical examination findings. Boys without spontaneous resolution after 6 months of age were indicated for orchiopexy. We investigated the 12-year trend in the distribution and outcomes of cryptorchidism at the institute.

Results: The mean age at diagnosis, gestational age, and birth weight were 2 years, 37 weeks, and 2740 g, respectively. A total of 170 boys underwent orchiopexy under 2 years of age, and 136 boys underwent orchiopexy under the age of 1 year, while 62 boys underwent orchiopexy over the age of 3 years. Abnormalities of the epididymis and disclosure of the processus vaginalis were observed in 44 (25%) and 72 boys (41%), respectively. Comparison of boys with or without hypospadias showed that the age at orchiopexy was higher in boys with hypospadias than in those without hypospadias (P=0.028). In addition, boys without hypospadias had a higher rate of abnormality of the epidermis than those with hypospadias (P=0.024).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that most boys with cryptorchidism are treated under the age of 2 years and the incidence of epididymal abnormality is relatively high, especially in boys with hypospadias. An understanding of the natural features of cryptorchidism could lead to better management and outcomes. Further research is warranted to develop an appropriate treatment timeline in boys with cryptorchidism.

Keywords: cryptorchidism; hypospadias; orchiopexy; pediatrics; spontaneous resolution.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow. A total of 283 boys were diagnosed with cryptorchidism between January 2006 and December 2017 at our institute. Twenty-three boys were excluded owing to the lack of baseline data or follow-up data. The remaining 260 boys were investigated in this study. Of the 260 boys, 232 underwent orchiopexy. Of the 260 boys, 76 boys were additionally excluded because of the lack of detailed data. A detailed investigation was conducted for the remaining 184 boys.

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