Testicular volume in adult patients undergoing cryptorchidism surgery in childhood, and impact on paternity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of orchiopexy on testicular volume. To determine whether age at surgery impacts testicular volume. To determine whether paternity is associated with testicular volume.

METHODS

Patients born between 1961 and 1985 who had undergone cryptorchidism surgery at the Pediatric Surgery Department of Miguel Servet University Hospital were included. Testis location and macroscopic appearance data were collected. Control testicular ultrasonographies and paternity surveys were carried out. Initially, the study was descriptive, and subsequently, inferential.

RESULTS

Ultrasonography was performed in 216 testicular units a mean of 14.9 years following surgery, whereas the paternity survey was conducted among 157 respondents a mean of 41.9 years following surgery. There were significant differences (p = 0.0038) in testicular volume distribution according to epididymal dissociation. There was a linear correlation between older age at surgery and lower testicular volume, but without statistical significance. Significant differences (p < 0.0001) in testicular volume according to groups - operated and non-operated -, as well as between unilateral and bilateral cases, were found. No differences in paternity rates according to testicular volume were noted.

CONCLUSION

Operated testes have lower volumes than normally descended testes. Older age at surgery may contribute to lower final volumes. Testes with full epididymal-testicular dissociation have lower total volumes. No relation between testicular volume and paternity rates was found. Further long-term studies are required.