Patient's question:
Expert, hello. I am currently 27 years old. I have had an undescended testicle on the left side. From childhood to now, I have undergone ultrasound examinations at the ages of 10, 24, and 26, but none of them detected it. The doctor said that since it was not found, surgery cannot be performed.Now, I would like to ask if surgery is possible at this age and where I should go for it.
Additionally, I currently live in Guangzhou. My right testicle is oval-shaped, and my sexual development is normal, with normal sexual function.
I hope to receive a brief response as soon as possible. Thank you.
Doctor's answer:
Cryptorchidism refers to a condition where one or both testicles of a male infant do not descend into the scrotum and remain at any point in their normal descent process. In other words, there are no testicles in the scrotum, or only one side has a testicle. There are two theories explaining the causes of undescended testicles:1. Endocrine factors: If the mother's chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels are insufficient or the testicles themselves have defects and do not respond to this hormone, it often leads to bilateral undescended testicles.
2. Mechanical factors: Such as excessively short spermatic cord vessels, developmental abnormalities of the gubernaculum or inguinal canal, adhesions between the testicles and retroperitoneal tissues, or variations in the cremaster muscle, all of which can obstruct the descent of the testicles. This condition often results in unilateral undescended testicles.
If a patient has an XY chromosome pattern, elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), low serum testosterone (T), and no response to hCG stimulation, it indicates bilateral absence of testicles, and surgical exploration is not necessary.
If any symptoms arise, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying the condition and affecting fertility.