Age at presentation of undescended testicles: a single-center study in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: The undescended testis (UDT) is the most common genital anomaly encountered in pediatrics with an estimated incidence of 1% to 4% in full-term and 1% to 45% in preterm newborn boys. Over the years, studies on progressive histological deterioration and cancer risk has led to a change in recommendations for when orchidopexy should be done. OBJECTIVES: Determine age at presentation of patients for UDT to a specialist in Saudi Arabia, age of operation and whether the recommended targeted time frame has been met. DESIGN: Descriptive retrospective medical record review. SETTINGS: University hospital setting in urban location. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The records of patients presenting to our center with UDT between the years 1996–2015 were reviewed for data on the age at presentation and age of operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age at time of evaluation and at time of surgical intervention compared with the international standard. SAMPLE SIZE: 331 cases. RESULTS: Out of the cases included, 195 met the inclusion criteria. The median age of presentation was 13.7 (range: 0–123.2) months. The median age at time of orchiopexy was 25 (range: 7.5–130.2) months. The median waiting time for elective surgery was 4.8 months (<1 day to 49.4 months). CONCLUSION: Despite the international recommendation of carrying out orchidopexy between the ages of 6–12 months, the targeted recommended time frame is not met in Saudi Arabia. This is mainly related to late referral age and the long waiting time for elective surgery. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size and retrospective design.