undescended testicle surgery?

Question

Anyone have experience with undescended testicle surgery?
My 10 year old has to have surgery for a undescended testicle and I was just wondering how bad the pain is? for how long? Is it a small incision?

Answer 1

10 years old is fairly late in the game for this surgery. It's likely that when the testicle is brought down that it will be undersized and non-functional. Not to be scary, but it used to be believed that leaving the testicle in the abdomen increased risk for testicular cancer later on... but what we know now is that often the reason the testicle does not descend is that it's abnormal in some way, so make sure as he hits his teen years, he's fully informed about how important it is to self-examine monthly for any changes to testicle or scrotum.

The surgery is fairly simple, generally done outpatient, depending of course on location of testicle and response to anesthesia. They will probably book him a room just in case, but he should be able to go home same day. Surgery is fairly quick in most cases, incision is small, shouldn't require more than over the counter pain relievers for a couple of days, but they'll probably err on the side of caution and offer Tylenol 3 (with codeine) or Percoset as a back-up plan.

Talk to the surgeon about what procedure will be if testicle is found to be small, abnormal in appearance, etc. Generally if it's "marginal" they'll anchor it because it's possible it will still produce sperm and if accident or injury were to damage other testicle, there would still be slight chance of reproductive ability. Ask under what circumstances they would remove as opposed to bring down. If they do remove it, request biopsy to determine if there is abnormal tissue.

I've probably given you far more information than you were hoping for and scared the poo out of you, but better to be well-informed than caught off guard... always as a just in case :)

My best to your son, it'll probably be nothing more than a blip on his childhood map and he'll be back racing circles around you in no time.

Answer 2

As the others have said, it is usually done a little earlier in childhood but as long as the testicle is still healthy, all will be fine.

Like any surgery there will be a recovery period and there may be some pain or discomfort. Thus, if the doctor hasn't prescribed a painkiller, feel free to ask. It may not be needed but better to have them on hand than have to run around trying to get them if he does hurt a bit after he is released.

The surgery itself is most often very minor. I've know a couple guys who had it done and all they were left with was a small scar above the penis on one side. And even though it is noticable, once puberty hits and the hair grows in, it is masked to some degree.

At 10, he is probably a bit nervous about having people looking and fiddling around down there. But reassure him that it is essential he have this done so when he is older and in locker rooms and other places where guys tend to be naked, he will appear as normal as everyone else. Also, even if he isn;t too interested in sex as yet, you can safely mention that for things sexual when he is older, he will appreciate having both of them hanging down in their rightful place.

Wish him well and tell him to behave himself around the cute nurses - hehe.

Answer 3

my son had it done at age 3. the incision was quite small and the dr. put a button at the bottom to hold things in place while it healed. my son only complained of some discomfort for a couple days. the only problem he had was the feeling of having to urinate frequently but that stopped after a few days. i'm sure your son will be fine. it's a fairly simple procedure. i think it's actually harder on us moms. good luck

Answer 4

Hi, it is very simple surgery and he will be better in no time. My son's hospital roommate had the surgery when my son was having his tonsils out. The other boy went home the next day.

Answer 5

I was in the hospital one night and had no pain afterwords. There might still be a scar, but it was fairly small when it was done, and they had to fix a hernia as well. That was about 25 years ago as well.