Two-stage orchiopexy

A number of well known complications and disorders force operative correction of cryptorchism, once the diagnosis of true cryptorchism is certain. In order to perform a successful orchiopexy, an extensive mobilization of the testis, up to the kidney, is sometimes needed. However, one can not always bring the testis down to the bottom of the scrotum. In this case it seems reasonable to bring the testis as low as possible. A second exploration can be planned, a few years later and, in most cases, the testis will then easily be brought down to the bottom of the scrotum. In our series (76 patients with unilateral or bilateral cryptorchism, between January 1967 and December 1978), 7 patients have been treated according to this procedure: four underwent a successful two-stage orchiopexy, two patients are waiting for the second intervention and one had a bilateral orchiectomy. A review of the literature reveals only a small number of attempts to staged orchiopexies. These small series are completely comparable to our series.