Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site iwsam.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!iwsam!csl From: csl@iwsam.UUCP (Roger H. Hortin) Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: Re: Undescended Testicles Message-ID: <9@iwsam.UUCP> Date: Fri, 1-Nov-85 13:31:14 EST Article-I.D.: iwsam.9 Posted: Fri Nov 1 13:31:14 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 3-Nov-85 04:56:15 EST References: <2738@watcgl.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 49 Summary: father's view of undescended testicle operation In article <2738@watcgl.UUCP>, anewton@watcgl.UUCP (Adele Newton) writes: > My four year old son is having surgery to fix his undescended testicles > this coming Monday (November 4). I am worried about various and sundry > things (like the dangers of general anaesthetic, the possibility of > complications, etc, etc, ad nauseum). Has anyone out there had > experience with this surgery with their sons? Can anyone give me > an idea of how long it will be before he recovers fully? My doctors > (family practitioner and urologist) both say "it won't take long, > kids are pretty resiliant." My husband and I both plan take > time off next week to stay home with him. Should a week do it? > > Thanks in advance for any wise words or advice anyone can provide. My son had an operation at age two for ONE undescended testicle, so my information may be only HALF right. But it may be of interest to others. My son was born with one undescended testicle. Naturally, his mother and I were quite concerned until we found out that it was not abnormal for such things to happen. In fact, many times the testicle(s) will descend by themselves within a few years. Our urologist suggested we wait until he was around 2 in case the testicle descended on its own. It did not and we went ahead with the surgery. The surgery required general anaesthesia and lasted approximately 35 minutes. When he awoke, and the anaesthesia wore off, he was NOT happy, as one might expect. We had to wait until he urinated before we left the hospital (this was outpatient surgery) to make sure things were still functioning properly. Once home, he slept a great deal (helped by the pain pills he had to take). Although we tried to limit them, they were needed as he was very uncomfortable with the stitches and the inability to move without pain. He more or less just layed on the couch or in his bed for two days. On the third day, he felt like walking around a little and the pain was starting to subside. By the fifth day following surgery, he was able to actually RUN outside without complaining (much) about his stiches and soreness. Within two weeks, the surgery seemed like past history. I was amazed at just how resiliant kids were. I think I would not be RUNNING after 5 days following such surgery. Our urologist suggested to take care of the surgery by age 2 so that the scars would be small and well hidden as he grew. He is now 3 and 1/2 years old and the scars are barely noticeable. Even though the undescended testicle is somewhat smaller that the other, the urologist says it should function normally. I hope this sheds some light on the subject. I would be interested in hearing how your son's surgery comes out. Remember, he WILL be upset after surgery, so be prepared with anything to keep his mind off the discomfort.