Abstract
Purpose: A retractile testis is a normally descended testis that retracts into the inguinal canal as a result of cremaster muscle contraction. There has long been a controversy as to its indication of surgery. The purpose of this study is to analyze our experience of patients with retractile testis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 110 patients with a retractile testis between 1998 and 2009. Group A (14 cases): patients who received orchidopexy after annual observation. Group B (21 cases): patients who required surgery because of associated conditions such as inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and contralateral undescended testis. Group C (75 cases): patients who were followed up without surgery. Results: There were no significant differences in demographic data or follow-up period between group A and C. Group B had a significantly shorter follow-up period than group A or C. Fourteen of 89 patients (15.7%) required surgery after observation. In group A, 6 patients developed ascending testis and 2 were diagnosed as cryptorchidism. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the majority of patients with retractile testes have a spontaneously favorable outcome. However, 8 cases required orchidopexy because of ascending testis or cryptorchidism. It is important that patients with retractile testis be monitored annually until the testes have clearly descended.
