Medicinski Glasnik (Aug 2008)
Retractile testis: follow-up benefits
Abstract
Aim Determine justifyability of following retractile testis in boys, establish a control timeframes, agerange and parameters.Method The series included 100 boys with primary care diagnosis of retractile testis or cryptorchidism.The boys were followed through annual examinations that noted resence of retractile, descended orundescended testis and presence or abscence of a taut or inelastic spermatic cord in association witha retractile testis. Boys had completed follow-up if their testes had spontaneously descended or theyunderwent orchiopexy. Indication for surgery was given when retractile testes ascended and becamecryptorchid or if testicular size decreased during follow-up.Results The number of retractile testes was 157, unilateral in 43 patients and bilateral in 57 patients.Age at presentation was 5,6 ± 2,0 years, and everage follow-up 4,2 ± 2,0 years. Of the 157 retractiletestes, 52 (33%) became descended testes, 43 (27%) became undescended and 62 (40%) remainedretractile on most recent follow-up. 59 retractile testes had a taut spermatic cord and 26(44%) of thesebecame undescended. Out of 47 orhyopexies performed, 42 had a hernia sac and remainder had fibrousprocessus vaginalis. Retractile testes in boys older than 7 years had 57% chance of spontaneous descentversus 24% chance in boys less than 7 years (p<0.01).Conclusion These findings suggest that all boys with retractile testes should be followed up. Retractiletestes have a 30% risk of becoming ascending testes requiring orchyopexy.
