Background: Cryptorchidism is associated with alteration of fertility potential. The aim of this study is to evaluate mid/long-term morphology and volume of the operated testis for undescended testes by using elastosonography.
Materials and methods: The medical records of consecutive patients who had received orchiopexy at the Authors' Institution between January 2014 and January 2017 were retrospectively considered. The patients enrolled in the study were divided into different groups depending on their age at the time of the procedure and on the time elapsed from it. The radiological and surgical examinations examined position, volume and trophism of both testes.
Results: During the study period 270 patients received surgery; only 34 patients complied with the inclusion criteria: 19 with right orchiopexy and 15 with left orchiopexy (P > 0.05) (P = 0.57). The mean testicular volume of the operated testis was 0.59 ± 0.32 ml, while the mean testicular volume of non-operated testis was 0.88 ± 0.34 ml (P < 0.05). The elastosonographic comparison between operated and non-operated testis showed that the operated testis had a higher elastosonographic result (grade 2-3) (P < 0.05). Higher grades at elastosonography corresponded to smaller testicular volume.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the patient's age at surgery is correlated with significative differences in terms of volume and elasticity (testicular quality). The study also shows that there is not a progressive improvement of elasticity at follow-up.
Keywords: Criptorchidism; elastosonography; recovery; treatment.