[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.