Management of undescended testes in children in Zaria, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE To study the presentation, management and outcome of undescended testes in children in a northern Nigerian population. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. SUBJECTS Thirty six children aged < or = 12 years with 43 undescended testes managed in 10 years. INTERVENTIONS Orchidopexy, orchidectomy, herniotomy. RESULTS The age at surgery was fourteen months to 12 years (median six years); four (11%) had correction before two years, 15 (42%) before five years and 21 (57%) at age > or = 5 years. Thirty two (74%) testes were palpable and eleven (26%) non-palpable. Evaluation was mainly clinical. Ultrasonography was performed for three non-palpable testes but was not helpful. Laparoscopy was not used in any patient. The condition was unilateral in 29 (81%) and bilateral in seven (19%). Forty five per cent of the testes were in the inguinal canal, 31% at the external ring, and 12% each at the internal ring and abdomen respectively. Ten (24%) testes were macroscopically atrophic (canalicular five, abdominal four, internal ring one). Orchidopexy was performed for 37 undescended testes and orchidectomy for four. Groin and scrotal haematoma developed following one orchidopexy. Following orchidopexy, four (10%) testes retracted necessitating repeat surgery. CONCLUSION There is a need to educate parents, traditional birth attendants, midwives and doctors in our environment to ensure earlier presentation and treatment.