[Current diagnosis and therapy of undescended testis]

Although the etiology of maldescended testes is multifactorial, dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis should be considered as the most important factor. The hormonal treatment with Gn-RH on its own or followed by hCG can provoke testicular descent and should be applied at 10th month of life. Failure, partial or transient success needs orchidopexy within the first two years of life to prevent infertility. If a concomitant hernia or a true ectopia is encountered, if patients are seen at an adolescent age and if the testes are truly cryptorchid, surgery is the treatment of choice.