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Orchiopexy—Laparoscopic

(Orchidopexy—Laparoscopic)

How to Say It: or-kee-o-pecks-ee

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Home | Health Information Center | Procedure & Surgery Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Reasons for Procedure

Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Child’s Doctor

En Español

Definition

Orchiopexy is surgery to lower the testicles into the scrotum. Testicles should move down from the belly into the scrotum before birth. Some boys are born with one or both testicles still inside the belly or groin. This is called undescended testicles.

Undescended Testicles

Reasons for Procedure

Undescended tests can cause problems later in life, such as infertility and testicular cancer. This surgery is done to put the testicle in its normal position.

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:

Excess bleeding
Problems from anesthesia, such as wheezing or sore throat
Infection
Blood clots
Injury to nearby structures
Damage to testicle
Testicle moves back into the groin

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The surgical team may meet with you to talk about:

Anesthesia options
Any allergies your child may have
Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you give your child and whether you need to stop giving them before surgery
Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. Your child will be asleep.

Description of the Procedure

Small incisions will be made in one or both sides of the groin. Long, thin tools will be passed through the incisions. The tools will be used to pull the testicle into a pouch made in the scrotum. It will be held in place with stitches. The incision will also be closed with stitches.

In some children, a button is placed on the outside of the scrotum. It will be used to hold the testicle down until the area heals.

How Long Will It Take?

About 1 hour per testicle

Will It Hurt?

Pain and swelling is common in the first 1 to 2 weeks. Medicine and home care can help.

Average Hospital Stay

Most children can go home the same day. If your child has problems, they may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

Right after the procedure, the staff may:

Give your child pain medicine
Teach you how to care for the incisions

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to lower your risk of infection, such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks
Keeping your incisions covered

There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of infection, such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and staff to do the same
Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks
Not letting others touch your incisions

At Home

It will take about 2 weeks to recover. Physical activity will be limited during this time.

Call Your Child’s Doctor

Call the doctor if your child is not getting better or has:

Signs of infection, such as fever or chills
Redness, swelling, excess bleeding, or discharge from the incisions
Nausea or vomiting
Pain that cannot be controlled with medicine
Changes in frequency, odor, appearance, or amount of urine
Problems urinating
Tiredness
Loss of hunger

If you think your child has an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
https://familydoctor.org

Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.healthychildren.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Caring for Kids—Canadian Pediatric Society
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References:

Cryptorchidism. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/cryptorchidism. Accessed December 14, 2020.

Orchiopexy: Surgery for undescended testicles. About Kids Health—The Hospital for Sick Children website. Available at: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=1010&language=English. Accessed December 14, 2020.

Tekgul S, Dogan HS, et al; European Society for Paediatric Urology and European Association of Urology (ESPU/EAU). Guidelines on paediatric urology. EAU 2017 Mar.

Undescended testicle surgery (orchiopexy). Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia website. Available at: https://www.chop.edu/treatments/surgery-undescended-testicles-orchiopexy#.VZBqk010xMs. Accessed December 14, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcin Chwistek, MD
Last Updated: 4/23/2021

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