[Cryptorchism. Outcome of treatment and referral patterns in an unselected group of patients in a 3-year period].

The age of diagnosis and referral together with the efficacy of HCG treatment were studied retrospectively in 196 unselected cryptorchid patients seen over a period of three years. The median age of diagnosis was 2 years and 7 months, whereas the median age of referral was three years later. During the period of study, guidelines for referral and therapy were published in a nationwide journal and in the local region, and a slight but significant fall in age of referral was seen thereafter. The median age of treatment with HCG, 92 patients, was 6 years and 11 months, and median age of surgery, was 7 years and 7 months. The rate of success with HCG was for bilateral testes 41% and for unilateral testes 21%, giving an overall success rate of 30%. This result is lower than previously reported, which is most likely explained by a higher suprascrotal position of testes before treatment. Guidelines and recommendations for referral and therapy seem to influence the time of referral, which is, however, in this study not in accordance with the consensus of definitive treatment before the age of two years. Early diagnosis is recommended and should be followed by referral to a paediatric department with particular interest and knowledge about cryptorchidism.