Pain associated with testicular retraction treated with Gore-Tex external inguinal ring reconstruction

We present our experience with three patients with chronic testicular pain due to retractile testes and propose a new operative solution to the problem. Three patients with chronic testicular pain associated with testicular retraction and relieved by pushing the testicle into the scrotum were identified. Full history and physical examinations were performed to rule out other causes of testicular pain. The patients underwent open inguinal exploration, aborted attempt at repair of an attenuated or obliterated external oblique aponeurosis, and construction of a neo-external inguinal ring with a Gore-Tex strip. The patients were reevaluated in the clinic postoperatively to determine change in physical examination and symptoms. All three patients had nonretractile testes on follow-up examination and reported improvement of their testicular pain. An attenuated or torn external oblique aponeurosis can result in a patulous external inguinal ring and painful retractile testicle. If traditional orchidopexy is insufficient to prevent severe retraction, reconstruction of the external inguinal ring with Gore-Tex mesh can correct the anatomical deficiency, reduce testicular retraction, and improve pain symptoms.