Undescended Testicles
Undescended testicles (also known as cryptorchidism) is a common childhood condition in which one or both of a baby boy’s testicles (testes) have not moved down into their proper place in the scrotum. It’s estimated about 1 in every 25 boys are born with undescended testicles.
Steps to get started
Our team will support you through every stage, from your first enquiry to your recovery.
Using Health Insurance
Paying for Treatment Yourself
Costs
Service costs vary depending on individual needs, but our team is here to guide you. Get in touch to confirm fees and receive a clear, personalised breakdown before making any appointments.
Book an Appointment
You can book an appointment online, call our friendly team, or ask your GP for a referral.
We’re here to answer your questions, talk you through your options, and help you feel confident about your treatment.
Our Locations
Each site is equipped with modern facilities and experienced teams who will look after you throughout your treatment and recovery.
Our hospitals are easy to reach and offer a calm, comfortable environment to support your care. Wherever you decide to go, you’ll receive the same high standard of personalised treatment.
What treatments do we offer for undescended testes?
- Key-hole surgery (for a testicle that can’t be located during the clinical examination)
- Orchidopexy
What are the benefits of this procedure?
National guidelines in the UK suggest that surgery for undescended testicles should be complete by 12-18 months of age.
It is likely that the sooner the surgery is performed the better the outcome will be. This is because after 12-18 months there may be changes that occur in the testicle that affect both the fertility potential and the risk of testicular cancer. It is vital that the testicle is placed in the scrotum so that it can easily be examined into adulthood.
What happens during the procedure?
During the initial consultation your son’s surgeon will examine him. If the testicle is too high but can still be felt then your son requires a single-stage orchidopexy.
If the testicle can’t be identified during the clinical examination then your son will require a key-hole procedure to look inside his tummy and may require a two-stage key-hole procedure to safely bring the testicle down into the scrotum.
Both single and staged orchidopexy procedures are performed under full general anaesthetic and usually take about 45 minutes to complete. Dissolving stitches and glue are used to close any of the small openings.
How long does it take to recover?
Both single and staged orchidopexy procedures are performed as a day case, which means your son will stay for a few hours after surgery and then will be allowed to go home.
Risks & complications of treatment/surgery
Small risks of bleeding or infection. 1-2% risk of injury to the sperm tube, atrophy (where the testis progressively shrinks after the surgery), or that the procedure might need to be re-done.
Is a referral required?
Self-referrals or GP referrals are both welcome.
Meet Our Consultants
Our consultants are specialists with years of experience. From your first consultation through to your recovery, you’ll be under the care of experts who are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible results.