Patient's question:
According to the expert's advice, my one-year-old and seven-month-old grandson had surgery for cryptorchidism and was pulled down into the scrotum. Now, our whole family has some concerns and would like to ask the expert for further clarification:1. Although the testicle has been pulled down, it is noticeably smaller and softer than the other normal testicle. Will this affect future functional recovery? We previously heard that not undergoing surgery could lead to the possibility of malignancy. Is this risk still present after the surgery?
2. This surgery was performed under general anesthesia. I wonder if general anesthesia could have any negative effects on the child's brain and body.
We eagerly await the expert's reply.
Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
Hello, your concerns are common among parents with children who have this condition. Regarding your young grandson's situation, I can provide the following answers:1. Your grandson's testicle has already descended into the scrotum. Although it is slightly smaller than the other normally developed testicle, this does not hinder its normal growth and development or affect future fertility. Since your grandson is still young and has not yet reached sexual development, and since most normal testicles are not exactly the same size, this is not a concern.
2. The risk of malignancy for an undescended testicle before surgery is relatively high. However, after surgery, as the testicle is placed in its normal developmental environment, the risk of malignancy decreases significantly. However, it cannot be said that it is absolutely impossible, as normal testicles can also develop malignancies.
3. Regarding whether general anesthesia affects a child's brain and physical development, I believe you have already asked this question to your attending physician before the surgery. In other words, there is essentially no significant impact.