Age of orchidopexy: Where are we now? A 12-year multicenter cross-sectional study about China.

BACKGROUND

The current practices in undescended testis (UDT) management in China over the past 12 years are little known.

METHODS

The demographics of orchidopexies performed at the four major hospitals in Southwest China between 2013 and 2024 were reviewed. The data were taken from the hospital case system and were mainly collected from children's age at surgery. A questionnaire was distributed to obstetric care specialists, pediatricians and obstetricians.

RESULTS

A total of 13,528 cryptorchid patients from the four largest centers in Western China were included. The proportion of children undergoing surgery by the end of the first year of life showed a statistically significant upward trend (r = 0.878; P < 0.001). Following the publication of the first official Chinese treatment guidelines for undescended testis, the compliance rate for the recommended surgical age significantly increased (9.72 ± 4.46 % vs. 2.37 ± 0.60 %). In 2024, 41.1 % of healthcare providers were aware of the recommended age for orchidopexy, up from 14 % in 2015. Additionally, direct referrals for pediatric surgery rose from 14.3 % to 53.42 % after the guidelines were released.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of management for undescended testis had improved in Western China. Training healthcare providers, raising UDT awareness through online platforms, developing localized guidelines, and enhancing communication between obstetric, pediatric, and surgical teams can help achieve earlier surgery.