There are instances where pediatric testicular surgery may be necessary. The testicles are the male reproductive organs that produce testosterone and sperm. Alaska Pediatric Surgery provides two testicular surgery methods.
An orchidopexy (OR-kid-o-pex-ee) is a surgical procedure meant to correct a testicle or testicles that have not descended to the proper place in the scrotum. Normally, the testicles will descend naturally into the scrotum from the body cavity in the first year of a child’s life. When this does not occur, an orchidopexy may be necessary.
The most common symptom of an undescended testicle is not being able to see or feel the testicle where it should be in the scrotum. This happens when one or both testicles fails to pass through the inguinal canal from the abdomen during normal development.
This procedure is considered an outpatient surgery, and should not require an overnight stay. Your child will need to avoid strenuous activity for several days, and the incision site will need to be cleaned regularly.
An orchiectomy (OR-kee-ek-toh-me) is the surgical removal of one or both testicles. This procedure is usually the first treatment for testicular cancer, and usually involves the removal of the entire testicle. This is also how the cancer would be diagnosed. If your child has been diagnosed with cancer, we encourage you to visit Alaska Pediatric Oncology. We work closely with this incredible team and will stand by you and your child through the whole process.
The removal of one testicle should not affect the function of your child’s reproductive system, and reproductive ability is still possible. If both testicles need to be removed, your child will not be able to father children. We encourage you to contact Alaska Pediatric Oncology if your child has been diagnosed or may be diagnosed with testicular cancer.
This cancer of the male reproductive organs is treated with an orchiectomy, the surgical removal of the affected organ(s).
