Comparative investigation of two surgical techniques of orchiopexy in the post-operative recurrence rate and testicular size in children in clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: Cryptorchidism is a common problem which is prevalent in 3% of male infants. This study aimed to determine the effect of both trans fixation and Dartos pouch fixation methods on the postoperative recurrence rate and testicular changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a clinical trial study, 70 children were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, the correction of cryptorchidism was done by Dartos pouch without suture and in the second group; testis was sutured using common trans fixation. The size of testicles was measured before and 6 months after surgery, children were followed on postoperative complications, trauma to testicles and recurrence of disease in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS soft ware.

RESULTS: The mean size of testicles was 87.16 ± 20.6 mm(2) in the group with fixed testicle and 182.4 ± 37.9 mm(2) in the group with not-fixed testicle before operation and the difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.013). After surgery, the mean size of testicles was 90.8 ± 19.9 mm(2) in the group with fixed testicle and 183.7 ± 41.2 mm(2) in the group with not-fixed testicle and the difference between them was significant (P = 0.026). The average of changes in testicular size was 3.62 ± 1.93 and 1.25 ± 5.35 mm(2) in both fixed and not-fixed groups, respectively and changes in testicular size had no significant difference between the two groups. (P = 0.68).

CONCLUSIONS: Type of fixation had no effect on the size of testes or relevance to the level of retraction. The above management protocol did very well in our hands, and we recommend it for application in the management of undescended testis.