A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies assessing the efficacy of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone therapy for children with cryptorchidism.

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To assess the efficacy of intranasal luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) therapy for cryptorchidism. Eligible studies were identified by two reviewers using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Primary outcomes were complete testicular descent rate, complete testicular descent rate for nonpalpable testis, and pre-scrotal and inguinal testis. Secondary outcomes included testicular descent with different medicines strategy and a subgroup analysis. Pooled data including the 1255 undescended testes showed that complete testicular descent rate was 20.9 % in LHRH group versus 5.6 % in the placebo group, which was significantly different [relative risk (RR) 3.94, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.14-7.28, P < 0.0001]. There was also a significant difference in the incidence of pre-scrotal and inguinal position testis descent, with 22.8 % in the LHRH group versus 3.6 % in the placebo group (RR 5.79, 95 % CI 2.94-11.39, P < 0.00001). However, side effects were more frequent in the LHRH group (RR 2.61, 95 % CI 1.52-4.49, P = 0.0005). There were no significant differences for nonpalpable testes. LHRH had significant benefits on testicular descent, particularly for inguinal and pre-scrotal testes, which was also accompanied by temporary slight side effects.