Undescended testes: screening and early operation

The prevalence of undescended testes at birth, or cryptorchidism, is about 2-3%--higher among premature babies. Associated complications include infertility and malignancy, and a number of studies have shown that UK screening programs to date--the examinations carried out by the community services, for example--have failed to identify cryptorchidism at an early age in many cases. If complications, particularly infertility, are to be avoided, operations on undescended testes should be done before the age of two; at this age, operation may also be less disturbing for the patient. The cause of maldescent of the testes is uncertain, but there are related conditions, including exposure to oestrogens in the first trimester, and low birth weight: these need to be considered as they influence management.