Angelite Nurses: Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism)

Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism)

General information

Unilateral or bilateral absence of testes in scrotal sac
Testes normally descend at 8 months of gestation, will therefore be absent in premature infants
Incidence increased in children having genetically transmitted diseases
Unilateral cryptorchidism most common
75% will descend spontaneously by age 1 year

Medical management

Whether or not to treat is still controversial; if testes remain in abdomen, damage to the testes (sterility) is possible because of increased body temperature.
If not descended by age 8 or 9, chorionic gonadotropin can be given.
Orchipexy: surgical procedure to retrieve and secure testes placement; performed between ages 1-3 years.

Assessment findings: unable to palpate testes in scrotal sac (when palpating testes be careful not to elicit cremasteric reflex, which pulls testes higher in pelvic cavity)
Nursing interventions

Advise parents of absence of testes and provide information about treatment options.
Support parents if surgery is to be performed.
Post-op, avoid disturbing the tension mechanism (will be in place for about 1 week).
Avoid contamination of incision

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