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Original poster

Undescended testicle - Help!

12 replies

debliz5 · 04/10/2006 11:24

Hi All,
Just came back from the hospital for a check up for my ds' (13 months) testicle and they have booked an operation to put the testicle in its right place. We live in the Netherlands and here they don't operate or give medication easily, so I'm nearly sure it's the best alternative for him. But, naturally, I'm very upset and scared for him thinking that my little boy has to go through such an ordeal with confusion and pain. Has anyone of you had to go through it or know anyone who did? I will be very grateful for any reasurance. Thanks a lot,
Debbie

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BudaBeast · 04/10/2006 11:36

Hi

My DS had it done but he was almost 4 as his wasn't picked up till he was 3.

In and out in one day (we were living here in Budapest but I prefered to have it done in Dublin where i am from). He was fine. I was a bit teary when they were putting him under but he was fine. No complications.

MrsTittleMouse · 04/10/2006 12:08

I'm sorry that your son has to go through an operation, but it is absolutely the best thing for him. Someone in my family didn't have it picked up in time (wasn't operated on until the age of 7) and it has caused a lot of problems in adulthood. The sooner it's sorted out the better.
You are doing the right thing.

BudaBeast · 04/10/2006 12:59

MrsTittleMouse - what sort of problems? I am a bit worried about DS in the future as his wasn't picked up till he was 3 and then they waited a while to see if if would resolve itself. So his op wasn't till he ws nearly 4.

frogs · 04/10/2006 13:16

My ds had a testicle brought down when he was 16 months. It was all fine, honestly the operation was done as a day case, so we had to bring him in fasting at 8am. I thought the fasting thing would be a nightmare but it was okay the lack of food makes them go very floppy and lethargic rather than insanely furious iyswim.

In the UK they let you stay with your baby while they do the anaesthetic -- they had previously put anaesthetic cream on his hand, so he didn't even flinch when the cannula was put in (I was holding him so that that hand was hanging down behind me, so he didn't see it happen either). It is a bit freaky for the parent watching the general anaesthetic take effect, as they go much more floppy and look a bit less rosy than during a normal sleep. But so much nicer for the child to have the parent there.

I can't remember how long the op took, but long enough for me to go out and sit in a cafe for a longish while with some coffee trying to take my mind off things. In our unit parents weren't brought in to see the child until he woke up, but ds was so slow to wake that they let me in anyway. Eventually he opened his eyes, smiled at me, drained an entire 250ml bottle of milk and went back to sleep. And that was as bad as it got, honestly.

You have to keep the nappy very loose for a week or so afterwards, and the testicle goes a slightly bruised bluish colour. Ds had two tiny (

Original poster
debliz5 · 04/10/2006 13:23

BudaBeast and MrsTittleMouse, thank you so much for your answers. You have definitely made me feel better about it. I think the knowledge that it's the best option for him is what reasures me. If I know that it's best then I can deal with my fears better and when the time comes, I can actually be there for him and not be the one crying all the time. But, it's not in and out like in dublin, BudaBeast. He's admitted the day before and has to stay the night before the operation. He does get to go home the day of the operation. I just hope it won't be too difficult for him these two days. Thanks again for your support

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Original poster
debliz5 · 04/10/2006 13:43

Frogs, Thanks for your very informative reply. It's exactly what I needed - to hear details - to know what to expect. I just don't understand why here he has to go through a day and a night in a strange place before the actuall "event"? he might be in not the best of moods even before he had anything done to him. The fact that it's not an in and out procedure still leaves me unsettled...

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MrsTittleMouse · 04/10/2006 17:45

Hi BudaBeast,
Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.
The later that the testicle is treated, the less likely that it will be able to produce viable sperm when your DS is older. The chances are that he'll be OK though, especially as he only had 1 that was undescended.
Not sure why this isn't mentioned when it happens to little boys, makes me quite cross.
Mrs TittleMouse

BudaBeast · 04/10/2006 20:35

Thanks MrsTittleMouse - I was aware of the potential problem for fertility and also the higher increase in testicular cancer - was just worried that there may be other things I needed to worry about IYSWIM!!

Doc assured me that he should be OK with one (although that one is a bit small) - but as he is the result of IVF as DH has fertility issues, I must admit that I am not too worried about that. I'm sure there will be all sorts of advances in fertility treatments by then!

bubbaOOOOOOO · 04/10/2006 21:23

DS is 15 months old and he has the same problem which was noted at birth.He has an appointment to see the surgeon in November and will also need an operation to bring it down.
Apparently it's very common and I'm sure he'll be fine and your DS too.

Original poster
debliz5 · 05/10/2006 07:38

Bubbaoooo, November has become a "significant" month as the operation has been scheduled to the 23rd and DS will be 15 months old too. I was reluctant at first to schedule it so soon, but the doctor said the younger they are the quicker it is for them to recover. I am also sure our sons will be fine and taking it better than me...

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bubbaOOOOOOO · 05/10/2006 11:14

Let us know how he gets on.Hope it all goes well.

Original poster
debliz5 · 05/10/2006 15:43

Thanks for that, bubbaOOOOOOO. I shall let you know how it goes, and please let me know about your DS.

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