ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Cryptorchidism in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria: Presentation, management, and outcome

Christian A Agbo¹, Joseph T Godwin², Musa Y Muhammad²

¹ Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria; Department of Surgery, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria
² Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Christian A Agbo
Department of Surgery, Benue State University, Makurdi Nigeria

Source of Support: None
Conflict of Interest: None

Objective: To determine the presentation, management, and outcome of cryptorchidism in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 37 patients were studied during the study period. Only three (8.1%) presented and had correction before/at the age of two. A majority of patients (91.9%) presented after the age of two; 78% of the testes were palpable. The condition was unilateral in 30 patients (81.1%) and bilateral in seven patients (18.9%). Laparoscopy was used in one (2.7%) patient. A majority (51.4%) of the testes were in the inguinal canal, 29.7% at the external ring, 13.5% at the internal ring, and 5.4% within the abdomen. Orchidopexy was performed for 41 undescended testes and orchidectomy for three atrophic testes. There was a good outcome in 93.2% of the surgical corrections. Scrotal haematoma developed following two orchidopexies and one (2.2%) testis retracted.

Conclusions: Cryptorchidism is a common anomaly in urology. The correction of cryptorchidism at the appropriate age is indicated to optimise testicular function, potentially reduce and/or facilitate the diagnosis of testicular malignancy, provide cosmetic benefits, and prevent complications such as a clinical hernia or torsion. Education of parents, traditional birth attendants, midwives, and doctors in our environment is required to ensure earlier presentation and treatment.