Operative management of cryptorchidism: guidelines and reality - a 10-year observational analysis of 3587 cases

BMC Pediatrics

Stefan Wirth¹  Ekkehard Schuler²  Andreas C. Jenke¹  Tawa Caspers¹  Kai O. Hensel¹ 

[1] Department of Pediatrics, HELIOS Medical Center Wuppertal, Children’s Hospital, Centre for Clinical & Translational Research (CCTR), Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Heusnerstr. 40, Wuppertal, D-42283, Germany;Institute for Quality Management, HELIOS Kliniken GmbH, Berlin, Germany

关键词: Guideline implementation;    Health services research;    Timing of surgery;    Orchidopexy;    Acquired cryptorchidism;    Retractile testis;    Maldescensus testis;    Primary cryptorchidism;    Testicular descent;    Undescended testis;   

Others  :  1225258
DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-015-0429-1

 received in 2014-09-11, accepted in 2015-08-20,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Undescended testis (UDT) is the most common disorder in pediatric surgery and one of the most important risk factors for malignancy and subfertility. In 2009 local guidelines were modified and now recommend treatment to be completed by the age of 1. Aim of this study was to analyze age distribution at the time of orchidopexy, whether the procedure is performed according to guideline recommendations and to assess primary care pediatricians’ attitude regarding their treatment approach.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 3587 patients with UDT regarding age at orchidopexy between 2003 and 2012 in 13 German hospitals. Furthermore, we conducted an anonymized nation-wide survey among primary care pediatricians regarding their attitude toward management of UDT.

Results

Before modification of the guideline 78 % (n = 1245) of the boys with UDT were not operated according to guideline recommendations. After the modification that number rose to 95 % (n = 1472). 42 % of the orchidopexies were performed on patients aged 4 to 17 years. 46 % of the primary care pediatricians were not aware of this discrepancy and 38 % would only initiate operative management after the first year of life. In hospitals with pediatric surgery departments significantly more patients received orchidopexy in their first year of life (p < .001).

Conclusion

The guideline for UDT in Germany has not yet been implemented sufficiently. Timing of orchidopexy must be optimized in order to improve long-term prognosis. Both primary care providers and parents should be educated regarding the advantages of early orchidopexy in UDT. Prospective studies are needed to elucidate the high rate of late orchidopexies.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Hensel et al.

【 图 表 】

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