Undescended testis at Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital; Nnewi; Nigeria : a ten year audit

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Undescended testis is a global problem; and late diagnosis and treatment can lead to disastrous consequences. We undertook this study to evaluate our management protocol and see how it fits into changing trends in management and compare our results with those obtained in other centers. Material and Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with undescended testes seen and operated at Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital; Nnewi; Nigeria during a 10-year period (1993-2003) was carried out. Results: Twenty-seven patients were analysed. 66.7of them were above 2 years of age. Eighteen patients had unilateral crypt-orchidism and 12 patients (44.4) had associated inguinal hernia. The undescended testis was found predominantly in the inguinal region (17 patients) and orchidopexy was done in 16. Half of our patients (51.7) were lost to follow up immediately after the intervention. Conclusion: The late presentation and inability to follow up these patients make the monitoring of such patients very difficult. We suggest that thorough examination of the external genitalia should form part of the normal post-natal check up and that a mass education campaign be undertaken