When to operate
Spontaneous descent can occur in the first three to six months of life. After that it is unlikely, and current guidance is to complete surgery between six and eighteen months of age. Delay increases the risk of impaired fertility and of later testicular cancer, and makes the cancer harder to detect because the testis cannot be examined.
- Testis not palpable in the scrotum after six months
- Testis that can be brought down but retracts immediately
- Testis that was in the scrotum earlier and has ascended
- One or both sides — both need treatment
- In adolescents and adults, a testis found late still needs assessment
The surgery
For a palpable testis, a small groin incision allows the cord to be freed and the testis placed and fixed in the scrotum. Where the testis cannot be felt, laparoscopy both locates it and treats it — sometimes in two stages if the blood supply needs to lengthen. It is day-care surgery in most children, with a return to normal activity in a few days.
Long-term follow-up
Position and growth of the testis are checked at follow-up. From puberty onwards, boys who had an undescended testis should be taught monthly self-examination, because their lifetime risk of testicular cancer remains modestly higher — and testicular cancer found early is highly curable.
Undescended Testis Surgery — common questions
Will the testis come down on its own?
Sometimes within the first six months. After that, waiting rarely helps and delays a simple operation.
Does hormone treatment work?
Hormonal therapy has limited success and is not recommended as standard treatment. Surgery is the reliable option.
Will my son be able to have children?
A single corrected undescended testis usually supports normal fertility. Bilateral cases carry a higher risk, which is why early surgery matters.
Is surgery risky for a one-year-old?
It is a short day-care procedure under paediatric anaesthesia with a very good safety record in experienced hands.
Reviewed by Dr. Kinjal Banerjee, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DNB (Urology) — Urologist, Renal Transplant & Robotic Surgeon, Faridabad. This page explains undescended testis surgery in general terms; your own treatment plan depends on your reports and examination.