Conference moira::parenting_v3

Tracey:

My friend's son had this problem.  It seemed to bother the parents (mother?)
more than the kid.  Mom wanted it fixed ASAP, but the Pedi suggested waiting
to see if it would correct itself in time.

When her son was 6-7 weeks (I think?), he developed a hernia which required
"repair" surgery ... they did both the hernia and the testicle at the same
time.  It was "same day" hospitalization (although the blood work was done
a day or so before).  Baby was FINE!  Mom was a little troubled with the
swelling and redness, but it didn't seem to affect the baby at all!  I
think she used some "first-aid"-like ointment and gauges for a day or so
-- and he did have stitches (hernia?) -- not sure if they were self-dissolving
or they were removed during his checkup appointment.

I think the "anesthesia" issues caused some concern ... but other than
vomiting after surgery, the baby did just fine.

Good luck.
Dottie

    This is quite common. My son had the surgery as well. Depending on the
    doctor you may be told to wait even longer. My son had the surgery at
    7. It was in and out the same day and he was out of school for only a
    couple of days. Depending on what needs to be done it's mostly similar
    to a vasectomy (at least as far as the cut. However, sometimes a higher
    cut is necessary if it's deep in the canal. Apparently most doctors
    today will not wait too long after it's discovered for it to work
    itself down out of fear of testicular cancer and/or fertility problems
    later in life. Statistically there appears to not be a large problem
    with these issues until after the age of 10.
    
    

    I remember reading in the previous version of Parenting that
    another possible treatment/approach to this condition is 
    hormone therapy.  
    
    Check out note 1571.* at NOTED::Parenting_V2.
    
    Jodi-
    
    

    My nephew went through this when he was an infant.  When they operated
    they found he had not other testicle.  Hope that's not the case with
    your son but keep it in mind that things like that happen and it's not
    the end of the world.  Tommy is just not allowed to play contact sports
    because they don't want him injured in that area which could then make
    him sterile.  He's doing fine.  He's 8 years old now.
    
    Best of luck.
    

    Not personal experience here, but observations from several "roommates"
    during AJ many hospital stays.
    
    This is generally day surgery, they will keep the child overnight
    usually only if it's a much more involved surgery once they "get in
    there" and see what's going on, or if the child is having a hard time
    recovering from the anesthesia, such as grogginess or vomiting. 
    Generally ther roommates we had we pretty much OK by supper time and
    went home quite early the next morning.  
    
    We had roommates ranging from infants, of weeks old up to 6, 7 or 8
    years.  Generally the infants seemed to recover quicker and remembered less
    of the surgery.
    
    Lyn

I have no idea if it's related, but....

my dog has the same situation and the vet recommended that I have him fixed
at an early age.  He said that the trait is often hereditary, and he is still
fertile, so I don't want him to pass it on.

After checking the cost of having him fixed (that condition is expensive) I
decided not to.  The vet warned me that there is a *much* greater risk of
cancer if I don't do it.

Like I said, no idea if children are the same, so FWIW

    There is a great danger of cancer in an undiscended testicle in a male
    human if that is what you meant by your question. (I am assuming here
    you were not advocating 'fixing' boys :-) ).
    
    Bonnie

    Thanks, Bonnie!  (for the laugh)

< (I am assuming here
 <   you were not advocating 'fixing' boys :-) ).
    

Well I wasn't - YET!  (Not until my daughters are old enough to get in
trouble!)  :-)

    
    Tanner has had both testicles undescended since birth.  He's now 10
    months.  Each checkup his pedi would check to see if he could feel
    them.  Sometimes he could, and sometimes he couldn't (I guess they can
    move around!)  At his 9 month check he referred me to a Uroligist.  We
    went last week.  He could feel them both!  Tanner is having an
    ultrasound next week to see position and size.  The Dr. said he
    will talk to me after those results, but most likely if they haven't
    descended by 15 months, thats when they will do surgery.  I will be
    getting more details on what that entails (hospital stay etc.) and I
    will let you know if you want the info.
    
    elizabeth
    

    My sister took my nephew, Neil, to the urologist the other day. 
    Although the pediatrician thought he could feel the testicle, the
    urologist said he couldn't.  The surgery will be in November and Neil
    will be almost 18 months by then.
    
    They are not sure how long he will have to be in the hospital.  The
    first thing they are going to do is to make a small incision.  If the
    testicle is right there, they will lower it and Neil will be able to go
    home the same day.  
    
    If its not right there, they will make a small incision(s?) near his 
    bellybutton and look around for it.  (I'm not exactly sure how they do 
    that.)  Then if they see it they will bring it down into place and I 
    think an abdominal incision is required for that.  If its not there at 
    all, they will put in a prosthesis instead.  If any of this is done,
    he'll have to stay in the hospital for (I think) 2 nights.
    
    The good news is that when this is all over Neil will either be
    "normal" or at least look "normal".  I just really hope that the
    testicle is sitting there, easily accessible, and waiting to be let
    down.  Day surgery is traumatic enough for all of us!

    I know nothing about this subject, but it would seem to me that a
    sonogram might help them to locate the testicle *before* they make any
    incisions.  No?????