Orchidopexy using a Dartos pouch.

THE undescended testis is more susceptible to trauma (Gross and Jewett 1956) and to malignant change (Collins and Pugh, 1964; Altman and Malament, 1967) than the normally placed testis. It has been shown that degeneration in an ectopic testis begins at about the age of 5 years (Scorer 1967; Cohn 1967). It is therefore generally accepted that orchidopexy should be carried out at around the age of 5 years. The objects of surgery in this condition are threefold: 1. To secure adequate length of spermatic cord and vessels so as to deliver the testis into the scrotum without tension. 2. To anchor the testis in the scrotum so that it remains there indefinitely. 3. To deal with any associated condition such as an inguinal hernia. The operation described by Whitaker (1970) and Pryn (1972) of anchoring the testis in a dartos pouch, fulfils these requirements, as well as having some advantages over other techniques.