Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advanced Treatment of Seminal Duct Blockage Employing Endoscopy-Mediated Semen Channel Refluviation
Published on: December 8, 2023
Evaluation and treatment of cryptorchidism: AUA guideline
Thomas F Kolon1, C D Anthony Herndon1, Linda A Baker1
1American Urological Assocation Education and Research, Inc., Linthicum, Maryland.
Insights
Cryptorchidism management guidelines recommend referral by 6 months of age. Orchidopexy is the preferred treatment, while hormonal therapy is not advised for undescended testes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Urology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cryptorchidism is a common congenital disorder in male infants.
- It represents the most frequent genital abnormality detected at birth.
- Management guidelines address isolated, non-syndromic cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a consensus on principles and treatment plans for cryptorchidism management.
- To guide healthcare providers, including primary care physicians and specialists.
- To establish evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of English-language, peer-reviewed literature from 1980-2013.
- Literature search utilized controlled vocabulary and keywords related to cryptorchidism.
- Clinical principles and expert opinions supplemented evidence-based data where necessary.
Main Results:
- Guideline statements were developed for history-taking, physical examination, and evaluation.
- Information on hormonal and surgical treatment options was synthesized.
- Recommendations address the optimal approach to managing undescended testes.
Conclusions:
- Referral for cryptorchidism should occur by 6 months of age; pre-referral imaging is not advised.
- Orchidopexy is the most effective treatment for scrotal relocation of the testis.
- Hormonal therapy is not recommended; counseling and follow-up are essential for long-term care.
Purpose:
Cryptorchidism is one of the most common pediatric disorders of the male endocrine glands and the most common genital disorder identified at birth. This guideline is intended to provide physicians and non-physician providers (primary care and specialists) with a consensus of principles and treatment plans for the management of cryptorchidism (typically isolated non-syndromic).
Materials And Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature was conducted using controlled vocabulary supplemented with key words relating to the relevant concepts of cryptorchidism. The search strategy was developed and executed by reference librarians and methodologists to create an evidence report limited to English-language, published peer-reviewed literature. This review yielded 704 articles published from 1980 through 2013 that were used to form a majority of the guideline statements. Clinical Principles and Expert Opinions were used for guideline statements lacking sufficient evidence-based data.
Results:
Guideline statements were created to inform clinicians on the proper methods of history-taking, physical exam, and evaluation of the boy with cryptorchidism, as well as the various hormonal and surgical treatment options.
Conclusions:
Imaging for cryptorchidism is not recommended prior to referral, which should occur by 6 months of age. Orchidopexy (orchiopexy is the preferred term) is the most successful therapy to relocate the testis into the scrotum, while hormonal therapy is not recommended. Successful scrotal repositioning of the testis may reduce but does not prevent the potential long-term issues of infertility and testis cancer. Appropriate counseling and follow-up of the patient is essential.
