[Current management of undescended testes in Hungary - where are we now?].

Introduction: Modern treatment of undescended testis in children is essential to avoid long-term morbidities including infertility and malignant changes. Objective: This study evaluated the current treatment of undescended testis in Hungary. Method: A web-based questionnaire was completed among the members of the Association of the Hungarian Primary Care Paediatricians and the Hungarian Association of Paediatric Surgeons. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Primary care pediatricians (n = 69) were influenced mostly by their experience during specialty training (65.2%), however, paediatric surgical specialists (n = 56) were influenced mainly by international guidelines (66.1%). Most primary care pediatricians (98.6%) screen newborns for undescended testis and refer any suspicious cases (88.4%) in proper time for surgical examination, but only two-third of them know the appropriate time for orchidopexy. Additionally, 59.4% of them consider the management of retractile testes to be primarily conservative, and 60.8% of them offer close follow-up until puberty. After orchiopexy, long-term follow-up until puberty is recommended by 39.1% of them. Specialists (98.2%) know the proper time for orchiopexy; however, they recommend ultrasonography relatively often (28.6%) in cases of nonpalpable testes. Treatment of high intra-abdominal testes occurs primarily (82.1%) with minimally invasive Shehata technique. Discussion: Treatment of undescended testis in Hungary is mainly up-to-date, although, the knowledge of primary care pediatricians on some important issues – optimal timing of surgery, follow-up of retractile testes and children after orchidopexy – is incomplete. Paediatric surgical care provides a modern, often minimally invasive approach; however, ultrasonography is performed often unnecessarily. Conclusion: Regular education about the management of undescended testis is necessary to implement nationwide up-to-date care. Orv Hetil. 2024; 164(4): 138–146.