The histopathology of iatrogenic cryptorchid testis: an insight into etiology

Iatrogenic undescended testis may develop after inguinal hernia repair, presumably as a result of mechanical tethering of the testis or cord in scar tissue. Because some true cryptorchid testes appear to be completely descended at birth and later ascend during childhood, some iatrogenic undescended testes may be low lying undescended testes. To determine whether iatrogenic undescended testes may be unrecognized cryptorchid testes at herniorrhaphy we examined biopsies of iatrogenic undescended testes and the corresponding contralateral descended testis.

Between 1985 and 1999 bilateral testis biopsies were obtained at orchiopexy in 37 boys 1.5 to 11.8 years old who previously underwent inguinal hernia correction. Histomorphometric analysis of germ cell counts was performed on the undescended and contralateral descended testes, and compared to the count in bilateral biopsies of 37 age and position matched patients with true unilateral cryptorchidism.

There were no significant differences in volume or total and differential germ cell counts in the undescended and contralateral descended testes in the study groups and age matched controls with primary unilateral cryptorchidism. The mean number of germ cells per tubule in the undescended testis in patients with a greater than 5-year interval from herniorrhaphy to orchiopexy was significantly decreased compared to those with an operative interval of less than 5 years (0.27 +/- 0.33 versus 0.93 +/- 1.4, p = 0.026).

Some patients with iatrogenic undescended testis may have an unrecognized low cryptorchid testis. Careful physical examination before and after inguinal surgery is recommended. The early repair of iatrogenic undescended testis is warranted to prevent further damage.