[Usefulness of long-term follow-up of patients operated on for cryptorchidism].

BACKGROUND: Cryptorchidism, testicular ectopia and rectractile testicle are different pathologies with conceivable different prognosis. As a matter of fact spermiogram used in these patients for the prognosis is really worse in bilateral cryptorchid than ectopic patients, because the tubular damage is present in the former than in the latter. It does not mean, anyway, that direct correlation exists between age of the patient at the operation and fertility. METHODS: 171 patients operated on for cryptorchidism or testicular ectopia at the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Regional Hospital of Treviso during the years 1974-1983 under-went follow-up at the age of 18 years with clinical evaluation, hormonal dosage (testosterone and gonadotropin after stimulus as GnRH) and spermiogram. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The present study does not differ from many other studies about hormonal levels and spermiograms of cryptorchid patients; it underlines long term follow-up utility of patients operated on for cryptorchidism and stresses the need of an eventual psychological evaluation of these patients.