Orchidopexy Child

Orchidopexy (child) is a surgery to move a boy’s testicle that has not descended or moved down to its proper place in the scrotum.

Undescended testicles are when a child’s testicles are not in their usual place in the scrotum. Whilst in the womb, a boy’s testicles develop inside his abdomen. Towards the end of pregnancy, the testicles travel through a passage into the scrotum. If the testicles don't descend by the time the child is six months, it is very unlikely they will descend without treatment.

An orchidopexy is normally performed under general anaesthetic as day surgery and takes about an hour. It involves making a cut in the groin to locate the undescended testicle and a second cut to move it downwards and reposition it in the scrotum.

Sometimes the testicle is higher in the abdomen and laparoscopic surgery is carried out to locate it before repositioning it. The surgeon passes a small laparoscope tube containing a light source and a camera through a small cut in your child's abdomen. The bringing down of a testicle from the abdomen may be performed in one operation or two stages.

An orchidopexy to treat undescended testicles is best carried out in early childhood, just before or around when your child is 12 months old.

Undescended testicles should be corrected just before or around one year of age.

The benefits of orchidopexy surgery include:

• placing an undescended testicle in its normal position in the scrotum. This may improve the testicle’s function and prevent it from being damaged.
• easier to examine testicles and check for any problems when an adult such as testicular cancer.
• helps prevent fertility problems and may reduce the risk of testicular cancer.
• boosts a boy's self-esteem.
• helps to lower the risk of testicle injury compared to if they are in the groin area.

The cost of an orchidopexy (child) will depend on where the testicle is located, the exact procedure that is performed and your Ramsay hospital of choice.

You will receive a formal quotation price for your child’s orchidopexy following a consultation with one of our expert paediatric urologists. This formal quote for your surgery will be valid for 60 days.

Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. Orchidopexy (child) procedures are covered by most medical insurance policies. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider before your son’s surgery.

We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your son’s surgery yourself. These include:

• Interest-free finance – requires no deposit and you can make monthly instalments at 0% interest.
• All-inclusive Total Care – is a one-off payment at a pre-agreed price.
• Pay as you go – a flexible funding option if costs are difficult to assess or you want to pay for your costs as and when they arise.

The recovery process after an orchidopexy (child) is usually straightforward. You can expect your

child to go home the same day as their operation.

Your child may have some pain. You can give them over-the-counter pain relief such as Ibuprofen or paracetamol to ensure they are comfortable during their recovery.

Most children return to school after about a week.

Your son should avoid activities such as bike riding, trampolining, rollerblading and rough play where there is a risk of an injury to the genitals until their wounds have healed.

We will arrange a follow-up appointment to check your son’s progress.