The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Undescended testicle surgery
ORCHIDOPEXY
Undescended testicle surgery, which is known as orchidopexy, is an operation to bring a testicle down into the scrotum
What is an undescended?
The testicles develop in a baby boy's abdomen when he is in the womb. They usually move down into the scrotum by 35 weeks of pregnancy. But sometimes a testicle doesn't descend normally.
If a testicle hasn't reached the scrotum by the time a baby is six months old, it's unlikely to do so without surgery. At HCA UK, we can carry out this surgery, known as an orchidopexy.
Need to know
This operation is carried out under general anaesthetic, which means your child will be asleep during the procedure and shouldn't feel any pain. The procedure usually takes 45 minutes to one hour in theatre.
Your surgeon will usually perform the operation through an incision in the groin and an incision in the scrotum. Then, using surgical instruments, they will release the testicle and bring it down into the scrotum. If your surgeon finds a small testicle that is unlikely to work, they'll remove it. Your child should be able to go home the same day.
Your consultant will let you know what to expect and how to prepare your child for surgery. They'll let you know how long your child will need to avoid eating and drinking, in preparation for having a general anaesthetic.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Your child may have some pain in the groin area after the procedure. They may initially feel unwell as a result of the anaesthetic. They'll also need to be given pain relief for the first few days after the surgery. They will need to rest at home for a few days after the surgery. And they should be able to go back to nursery or school after about a week.
In terms of of post-op activities, your child shouldn't play sports or ride a bicycle for up to six weeks.
Paying for medical treatment
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Our Undescended testicle surgery locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.