Undescended Testicles

Hi A.,

My son who is 4 months old right now and has to have surgery for the same reason as your son. We had many doctors look at his testicles when he was born to see if they were there. The doctors did an ultrasound and found them. His right one has dropped but his left one has not. We scheduled surgery for the end of April. I don't know much about this either. I have done a lot of research and reading to understand this. Also, my little man has to get fitted for a helmet, his head is flat in the back and on the side. So anyway, just wanted to let you know, your not alone on this.

I hope everything goes well for your son!
Take care,
L.

Dr. Max Maizels at Children's Memorial is great. My son had surgery when he was 3 1/2. (2yrs ago) His testical was caught in a hernia in his abdomin when he was born and never came down on it's own. It was so quick and easy, he came home the same day and was up and moving in a day or two. The staff made the whole experience comfortable. My son thought the whole thing was an adventure and still plays with the oxygen mask. Best wishes...God bless! Jenny M.

I don't know much about your son's problem, but I do know that I LOVE Dr. William Kaplan at Children's. He performed surgery on my son (of a different nature, still requiring a urologist). I can't say enough nice things about him.

Hi A.,

My son had surgery for undescended testicles at Children's several years ago. Dr. Kaplan performed the surgery and also corrected 2 hernias my son had. I feel for what you are going through, because I was scared to death to have my 10 month old operated on. The waiting during the surgery was not fun, but the surgery was a success, and we have not had any further issues. Dr. Kaplan is very professional and he does explain things to you in detail. I'll keep you and your son in my prayers! I think you are in good hands with Children's!

P.

A.:

I work at Children's Memorial Hospital, and I GUARANTEE you are getting the best team of Urology surgeons in the city!!! In addition to Dr. Maizels, and Dr. Kaplan, you have Dr.'s Hagerty, Houston, and Yerkes. They are ALL THE BOMB!! Best wishes to you and your son!!

My 14 year old was diagnosed when he was a toddler and my pediatrician gave him steriod injections first as an attempt to avoid surgery. After a few treatments they came down. I'm not sure what the criteria is or why your dr. didnt offer it but it wouldnt hurt to ask.

Hi A.. My son had an undescended testicle at birth. When he was 9 months old, we had the surgery done at Children's in Westchester. His urologist was Dr. Max Maizels. Although he wasn't the warmest doctor I ever met, his reputation was exceptional and I felt confident when I handed my child over to him for surgery. From what I remember, the surgery is necessary to avoid complications later in life.

I think he is still on staff. Good luck. : )

I would suggest having it done at at a young age. It could lead to further problems and doing it in the pre-teen to teen years is too hard on a young man.

You're a MOM. That supercedes any frightening surgeries because this IS ABOUT YOUR SON. God made us mothers because we are the stronger sex. You can fall apart when the child can't hear you or sense that something is wrong. Get the surgery done now so your son won't remember when he's older and other children can't say anything to hurt his feelings about it. Take care mommy and I'll pray for you and his speedy recovery.

My son had to have surgery at Children's for a "penile unburying", a "floating testicle" & to correct his circumcision(sp?) when he was three. Everything went well. For the testicles, they bring them into the testicular sac & tie them down (with 1-2 stitches). You can't see anything different by the testicles, and he has too small (pin head) size scars in the pelvis area that should cover with hair in puberty. They gave my son Tylenol w/codeine for pain, but he had 3 procedures together. He was up & running around in a couple of days. Good Luck!

My son who will be 5 in May had the same problem. When we went to Children's at his 1st B-day they did tests and found that one of his testicles had flipped over before birth and died. His other one just never came down. When he had surgery they removed the one testicle that had died. I was told that if not removed it could cause problems later in life with cancer being one of them. Nice way to scare a new 1st time mom! They brought down his healthy testicle and "tacked" it down so it did not flip and die like his other one. It is almost 4 years later and he is fine! May I ask the Doctor you are seeing? Also why did you Ped wait until almost age 4 to have you go to Children's??? I was told that it should be done as close to their 1st b-day as possible.
I second Dr.Kaplan!!!! He was wonderful!

I think you're in good hands at Children's, my son had surgery with urology there and we had a very good experience. My sons both have developmental delay (they are 3) and we worry all the time...you just can't help it!

A., my child was diagnosed with undescended testicles, but very early (when he was a baby). They said they would probably drop by the time he was 6 mos. They didn't. We were referred to Dr. Max Maizels at Children's and he did surgery when he was 1 year old. (It's important to do the surgery early, especially when it's both testicles, as it will affect fertility later on in life.) Also, be very proactive on the developmental delay issues. I noticed you're in Indiana, so I'm not sure what state benefits there are, but I know I was able to get preschool screenings (call your local school) and they will give you a free evaluation and, if needed, therapy. The faster you get your child in therapy, the better off he will be. Also, the public schools will have to give you special accommodations. You just need to know your rights. Don't delay or listen to people saying not to worry. Get evaluations done and get therapy started. Sorry to be so direct, but it will only hurt your child if you ignore the issue. AND, if you do the evaluations only to find out that everything is "normal," how much better you will feel knowing that there truly is nothing to worry about.

C. Hesse

Our 3rd and 4th children, a boy and a girl, was born w/inguinal canal obstruction and follopian tube obstruction. They had the surgery at 6 months. This was back in 1980 & 1981. Both, grew up to give me beautiful grandchildren! Try to have a positive attitude about you and your child's health, don't try to anticipate neg. health issues. I raised 6 children, all healthy. 1 or 2 had learning disabilities, but, I'm not all that convinced it was not the school's curriculum. They are all successful at what they do now as adults. Just be there, love them, and have some fun with them.

Hi A.,
I'm a nurse in Outpatient surgery at Childrens and this problem that your son is having is common and we probably do on an average(all the urologists)5-10 a week. It's a routine surgery and children recouperate much quicker than adults. I'm not sure what Dr. you are seeing but they are all good! C. E

There are different massage techniques that I know and have seen used with success. Pediatric Chiropractors have had success with this as well. These conservative measures may or may not be appropriate for your son, but a chiropractor will know upon examination if they can help. www.icpa4kids.org. Best of luck.
J.