A 6-month-old boy is found to have a non-palpable left testis on examination. The right testis is normally descended. By 6 months of age the testis has not descended spontaneously. The most appropriate management is:

• A Wait until 2 years for spontaneous descent
• B Orchiectomy followed by prosthesis
• C hCG hormonal therapy
• D Orchiopexy between 6 and 12 months of age ✓

Explanation

Current guidelines recommend orchiopexy between 6 and 12 months of age for undescended testes. Spontaneous descent after 6 months is rare. Early orchiopexy preserves germ cell development and reduces malignancy risk. Hormonal therapy with hCG or GnRH is no longer recommended as primary treatment due to low efficacy and potential side effects. Orchiectomy is reserved for testicular atrophy in post-pubertal patients or when the normal contralateral testis is compensatory.

Reference: Coran's Pediatric Surgery, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.