Surgery for cryptorchidism in toddlers is usually better recommended between the ages of 6 months and 18 months, depending on the doctor’s instructions.
Cryptorchidism in toddlers is the most common male congenital urologic abnormality and is the result of a testicle that is not in its normal scrotal position. Diagnosis of cryptorchidism is best accomplished before the infant is 6 months of age. The diagnosis of cryptorchidism is established and surgery is feasible after 6 months of age and no later than 18 months to avoid the relatively high temperatures in the abdominal cavity, which may be damaging to the testicular germ cells.
Early surgery ensures the possibility of postoperative catch-up testicular growth and reduces the psychological trauma that develops as a result of testicular malformations.
In addition to surgical treatment, cryptorchidism can be treated with oral hormone therapy, but the effect of hormone therapy on testicular descent is uncertain and is generally not used as a routine method. Hormone therapy is mostly indicated for infants up to 1 year of age, and medication can be started after 6 months of age.
Hormone therapy medications include chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Specific treatments should be prescribed by the doctor.