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Children's health

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Original poster

Undescended impalpable testicle

11 replies

NorahM · 27/11/2015 14:26

Hi,

My son, who is now 5.5 weeks old, has one undescended testicle (the right one). He wasn't premature (born almost 42 weeks). The pediatrician after his birth couldn't feel the testicle in his groin, so it's basically an impalpable testicle.

In two weeks time, we have an ultrasound to see if they can locate the testicle.

Is there anyone else who went through the same thing and what was the outcome? I know if a testicle is palpable, then the procedure is pretty straight forward. But since they couldn't feel DS' testicle at all, I'm worried that it's not going to end well. Chances are, there is none, or it was underdeveloped and died.

Anyway, just a very worried mum.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 27/11/2015 16:17

The most likely thing is that testicle is trapped in the abdomen just on the inner side of the inguinal ring.

Original poster

NorahM · 27/11/2015 16:50

Thank you lonecat. Are those testicles generally healthy?

OP posts:

Picklesauage · 27/11/2015 17:45

Hi,
My experience of this is my DH. He had 2 undescended testicles at birth. Surgery at around 3-4 brought one down, but the other stayed trapped in his abdomen.
He has had no issues with sex live or fertility. We have 2 DD!

Hope that gives you some long term hope!

Clobbered · 27/11/2015 17:51

The right one comes down slightly later than the left in most cases, so it's the commonest one to be 'missing'. Try not to panic - the most likely outcome is that it will be found and can be brought down with surgery if necessary. The other one is there, so should develop completely normally and be able to father children in future. If they can't find the other one, or it has to be removed, it's possible to have an implant so that there is something there in his scrotum.

Congratulations on your lovely son and try not to worry. It's very early days and there is plenty of time to sort this out for him. Good luck.

VikingLady · 27/11/2015 18:02

A friend had this with her son. Scan found it where lonecat said and minor surgery (as she described it) was carried out to pull it down. No problems since. He was under 1 and he's now nearly 4

GinandJag · 27/11/2015 18:23

You can't worry about it as the medics are actively investigating and treating.

DS1 had a bilateral inguinal hernia with undescended testes. He had day surgery a 2 to fix

Original poster

NorahM · 27/11/2015 20:13

Thank you everyone. It's just so hard not to worry. This is my third baby (!!) but the circumstances of his birth (we had a traumatic birth which ended in a forceps delivery) and this issue combined with him also having a floppy larynx (which they apparently "grow out of" but makes breastfeeding challenging) make me a nervous wreck sometimes. This number 3 has thrown me for a loop. I really hope they can find his testicle and I am glad his fertility is fine with only one.

OP posts:

ktmummy1 · 27/11/2015 20:54

I'm sure you are just exhausted with this being number 3. I know I always find it hard to think logically when so tired. I'm sure all will be fine, even if one is missing, it won't be a problem. Try not to worry. My friends son only has one as he had one underdeveloped when born. He'll be fine xxx

sarahsarahw · 29/11/2015 18:25

Hi @NorahM, first thing is don't worry! @Lonecatwithkitten is spot on with where the testicle could be, but until after the ultrasound you (and the doctors) won't know. For testicles which can't be felt there's a 50% chance the testicle has died, otherwise it can be brought down by a slightly more complex procedure than a normal undescended testicle.

My DH has written a page on where the testicle can be: undescendedtesticles.wordpress.com/treatments/. Both he and our DS went through the operation. Good luck :) xx

Original poster

NorahM · 30/11/2015 17:55

Thanks for the link Sarah. I'm feeling in a gloom mood today. 50% chance eh? I don't like that. I guess we'll know more soon...

OP posts:

sarahsarahw · 30/11/2015 20:50

Awww! Take the number with a grain of salt - I did some more searching of Pubmed today and found numbers between "50-60% of impalpable testis are successfully brought down" and "90% of impalpable testis are successfully brought down". I also saw papers saying ultrasound was accurate in 12.5% of cases (so even when it can't see the testicle it is actually there) and that it was accurate in 90% of cases. Gotta think these doctors don't entirely know what they're doing... .

There's plenty to hope for, and even if the worst comes about, he's still going to be fertile and produce you nice grandkids one day :)

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