1.What is cryptorchidism?
Cryptorchidism refers to the absence of testicles in the scrotum, including testicular agenesis, testicular ectopic and undescended testicles or incomplete testicular descent, which means that the testicles fail to descend from the lumbar region behind the peritoneum to the scrotum according to the normal development process.
2.Can cryptorchidism heal itself?
It is generally believed that the incidence of cryptorchidism can continue to decline during growth and development, but after 6 months of age, the chance of continuing to decline decreases significantly.
3.What is the etiology of cryptorchidism?
Since the mechanism of normal testicular descent is still unclear, it is impossible to suggest whether the occurrence of cryptorchidism is a malfunction in a certain link or a combination of factors. At present, there is still no theory that can explain the etiology of cryptorchidism.
4.Does cryptorchidism have any effect on fertility?
The most direct consequence of cryptorchidism is the impact of fertility due to the obstruction of spermatogenic cell development. Unilateral cryptorchidism will affect fertility to some extent in adulthood, and if it is bilateral, it will have serious impairment.
5.Complications of cryptorchidism?
(1) Testicular atrophy
(2) Cryptorchidism torsion
(3) Testicular injury
(4) Cryptorchid malignant transformation
6.How to treat cryptorchidism?
The treatment of cryptorchidism is divided into hormone treatment and surgery.
7.What hormones are used for treatment?
One is LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone), but this drug is only used in Europe; the other hormone is HCG (gonadotropin).
8. What is the effect of hormone therapy?
Although HCG has been used to treat cryptorchidism for more than half a century, it is difficult to make a proper evaluation of its efficacy. It is reported that the success rate of HCG treatment: 17% at age 4, 33% at age 5-6, 42% at age 7-8, and 57% at age 9-10. It is suggested that the treatment effect is slightly better for those above 5 years of age than for those below 5 years of age. Theoretically it should help the development of germ cells.
9.What are the side effects of hormone therapy?
HCG injections are associated with pain, mental changes, and growth of the external genitalia, especially in older children, which may result in some hyperactive behavior. Longer or high doses of HCG may cause early epiphyseal healing.
10.The best hand and age?
For those who fail hormonal treatment, surgery should be performed after 1 year of age and before 2 years of age.