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Orchidopexy and its impact on fertility

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Abstract

We critically analysed the factors known to influence the fertility potential after orchidopexy in children. A comprehensive literature review of all publications in the English language listed in Medline using the words cryptorchidism, undescended testis, orchidopexy, fertility, semen analysis and surgery from 1970 to 2005. In unilateral ectopic, canalicular and emergent testes, as long as the surgery is carried out in early childhood, fertility outcome is good (>90%). The majority of the bilateral abdominal testes are infertile. While unilateral abdominal testes and unilateral absent or vanishing testes have favourable fertility potential, quantification has proven difficult. Despite multiple studies, fertility in crypt orchid tests is still an uncertain issue. Hormonal treatment in conjunction with early surgical correction has not been fully explored. We recommend orchidopexy soon after 6–7 months of age, corrected for term, to maximise the future fertility potential.

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  1. Children’s Research Centre, Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Feilim Murphy, Thambipillai Sri Paran & Prem Puri

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  1. Feilim Murphy
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Correspondence to Feilim Murphy.

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Murphy, F., Paran, T.S. & Puri, P. Orchidopexy and its impact on fertility. Pediatr Surg Int 23, 625–632 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-007-1900-3

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