An anatomical study of descent of testes in fetal cadavers of perinatal period

Abstract

Background and aims: Undescended testes or Cryptorchidism is a common congenital anomaly of male gonad. In this condition one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum as the process of descent may get arrested at any point along its normal path. It is a common condition occurring in 1 in 500 individuals. Undescended testis carries a risk of developing seminoma and is prone to injury. Undescended testis also fails to produce mature spermatozoa leading to infertility. Materials and methods: Hundred perinatal human cadavers were collected and meticulously dissected.Results: Undescended testes were found in 30% cases. In 50% cases, left testis descended earlier than the right. Bilateral undescended testes (70%) were more common than unilateral (30%). Unilateral undescended testis was more common on right side (55.5%). Undescended testes were found in the abdomen in 19.61% of cases. In 50.98% of cases, they were located in the inguinal region and in the remaining 29.41% of cases, they were found in the subinguinal position. Conclusion : The primary management of cryptorchidism is surgery which is called orchipexy and is usually performed in infancy. When the undescended testis is in the inguinal canal, hormone therapy is sometimes attempted and occasionally successful. Therefore through early diagnosis and surgical interventions, the undescended testes can be replaced to the scrotum that will ensure optimal fertility in adulthood and a considerable lessened risk of testicular carcinoma.

Keywords

• anomaly
• cryptorchidism
• testes
• infertility
• orchipexy