The referral pattern for undescended testes in Auckland.

AIM: To accurately audit the age at orchiopexy at our institution and then to analyse the referral pattern specially related to the age of the patient.

METHODS

A retrospective review of hospital records was performed. Data were obtained from the hospital database based on the procedure code of orchiopexy. Mean and median values were calculated for age at referral, time between clinic visit and referral (T1) and between clinic visit and operation (T2).

RESULTS

The mean age at referral was 42.6 months (median 23, range 0 - 179.1 months). The mean time T1 was 2.6 months (median 1.7, range 0 - 16.9 months). The mean time T2 was 7.0 months (median 3.3 months).

CONCLUSION

There is a need to increase awareness about undescended testes amongst all parties involved in the health care of children.