Toddler retractile testicle surgery ?

[sara28]

Hi,
My son is 2.5 years and it was recently picked up that he had retractile testicles (his left one ). At his birth, 6 month and one year checked up this wasn't picked up even though he was under consultant care. Anyhow , they have recommended surgery even though from the information I've gathered , it is undescended testicles that require surgery not retractile ones . His doctor has scheduled a surgery for 6th September 2018 and I have a pre op discussion with him on the 3rd to discuss queries I may have . I'll be taking this up with him but wanted to know what other mums had experienced . I don't want to opt for his surgery if as per my research the testicles may descend to his scrotum when he's older . Any mums been in a similar situation ?

My son had this surgery done 3 years ago at 7 years old. He had both testicles stitched in place. One side needed an incision just below his belly to find the testicle and the other was able to be guided down so did not need an incision.

My son's were retractile and were down up until 3 years old but kept going back up. He had pain with it , which is how we found out about his testicles being high in his scrotum/stomach.

How did you find out? Can his testicles be guided down?

Hi ,
Thanks so much for responding . We found out accidentally once after a severe diarrhoea episode when the GP felt his testicles and said his left one didn't seem to have fully descended . That was the first I heard of it and he was nearly 2 then. His paediatrician saw him and at first said it may come down on its own as it was retractile . Then four months later , he said there was no improvement and it needed an operation . My son is only 2.5 years so worried about pain etc . Plus the doctor said it may go up again even after surgery . It's only the left testicle . How did the overall surgery go? Was your son in much pain? And did the testicle stay down ?
Thanks so much !!

There was a 1 year old a 5 year old and my son all had the operation the same day and they all coped well. There were different option choices and we chose the option of having an injection of anaesthetic in his spine after the operation before waking him to cope with pain. He was sore but didn't need anything more than paracetamol and ibuprofen for a few days. He did walk around with his legs apart for a few days but he was happy enough. We could have opted for morphine but he would have needed to stay in overnight. His testicles have been stitched to the bottom of his scrotum and they are both still down 3 years later held by scar tissue.

Thanks so much for responding . It's reassuring that 3 years down the line his testicles have remained in the scrotum . I have not been given the option of a spinal block for my son just the general anaesthetic . I'll ask again at his pre op appointment in 3 days . Would you be up for responding to any other questions I have once I speak to them ? It would be very helpful . All the mums I spoke up had boys with undescended testicles not retractile .

GP spotted one retractile around 6mo not from birth. We kept on going for appointment with no improvement but then at his 3,5 yo appointment it was confirmed it was corrected. Urologist said it's common to correct itself
Maybe wait till he's 4?

Yes of course. We weren't given that option until the day of the operation. However he had no pre-op, just one appointment with the urologist and had his surgery 7 days later.

Hi ,
Thanks so much for responding . I'm not getting any prompts that people are responding to my post so keep checking .
That's reassuring . Im leaning towards waiting too. Have a pre surgery appointment tomorrow and i think I may cancel the surgery and ask them to keep an eye on it. If your son's testicle descended at 4 years then there is hope! Thank you so much!

@sara28 - Truly retractile testes do not usually require surgical treatment as most will descend fully and this process continues up until puberty. A retractile testicle is one that can be "milked" into a normal position within the scrotum but then retracts again.

If a retractile testicle cannot be milked into a normal position within the scrotum (perhaps it is just in the scrotum but not properly - sometimes called a "high retractile" testicle) then it is usually considered to be an undescended (i.e. not just a retractile) testicle. Undescended testicles do not retract further after 6 months and an empty scrotum in adulthood leads to increased risk of fertility problems and testicular cancer. It is thought that these risks are higher the longer that the testicle is left improperly positioned.

It's difficult to generalise the experiences of other people to your son who might well have a very different condition to theirs. Don't be afraid of asking for a second opinion if you aren't convinced but be guided by your surgeon who would not offer an operation if they didn't think it was necessary.

"Undescended testicles do not retract further after 6 months" should have read "Undescended testicles do not descend further after 6 months" - apologies.

@JohnHunter . Thank you . We are planning on taking a second opinion. I'm sure his paediatrician is being practical by recommending surgery sooner rather than later but we feel very rushed .

Sorry I didn't get to complete my sentence .
I'm aware that there is a chance I'd reduced fertility later on so we are taking this very seriously . Especially because as parents it's us who can make a right or wrong decision for our son . We will definitely go ahead with surgery if required (which is the likely scenario) but I think taking a second opinion might be better before progressing with surgery .
Thanks so much for your feedback and views . It's been very helpful

Hello everyone thanks so much for all your help. The doctor has decided to delay surgery and assess next year. He could feel the testicle in the scrotum in the pre op visit so he thinks surgery is not necessary at this stage . Thanks again for your help and advise

Glad they are going to delay for you. Hopefully surgery won't be needed next year