Abstract
Purpose Intra-abdominal undescended testes are associated with a high risk of infertility and cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of germ cell damage in this sub-group of cryptorchid boys. Material and methods The material included cryptorchid patients Results Germ cells disappeared from 18-months of age. Hereafter, the frequency of no germ cells at surgery increased with increasing age (p 0.2 ( = lower limit for later fertility), none more than 2.7 years old. Two intra-abdominal testes showed intratubular germ cell neoplasia. Conclusions We recommend surgery for cryptorchidism before the germ cells disappear, i.e. before 15-months of age; especially in bilateral cryptorchidism. In boys with intra-abdominal testes more than 3 years old the testes preserve no potential for fertility. In unilateral cases more than 3 years old with a normal contralateral testis in the scrotum the intra-abdominal testis should be removed.
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