Objective: To evaluate the short-term result of orchidopexy in children with undescended testes particularly those with testicular artery ligation (Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy, FO) and without testicular artery ligation (conventional orchidopexy, CO) and identify factors influencing the outcomes of treatment.
Material and Methods: The medical records of 28 consecutive patients who had 36 orchidopexies (FO = 8, CO = 28) between 1987 and 2001 were reviewed. The average age at the time of operation was 3.6 years. Follow-up information of these patients was analyzed. Median follow-up time was 12 months (1 week-6 years). Preoperative hormonal treatment, testicular position, the age at operation, pre- and post-operative testicular sizes and positions were recorded. The results of operative treatment and preoperative factors were analyzed with Student’s t-test and chi-square test, using p < 0.05 as the significant value.
Results: There was no significant difference in the change of testicular size between pre- and post- orchidopexy following CO and FO (p = 0.833). Twenty-five percent (2/8) showed a decrease in testicular sizes after FO and 39% (11/28) after CO. There was no significant effect from preoperative hormonal treatment in high-level undescended testis (p = 0.4).
Conclusion: FO is a useful option in case of high-level undescended testes. There was no significant effects noted from types of operation on post-operative testicular sizes. A study limitation was the small sample.