Reasons for delay in undescended testis: The results of two pediatric surgery centers

Abstract

Aim: We evaluated the age at surgery, family educational level and the physician's roles in cases of undescended testis operated in our clinic of age. Material and Method: A total of 463 patients operated for undescended testis were divided into two groups as older and younger than two years. An interview was conducted with 90 families from each group to query the family education level, how the diagnosis was made and by whom the diagnosis was made including the reasons for delay in the diagnosis, if any. Results: A total of 494 testes of 463 patients examined at the Pediatric Surgery Clinics of Denizli State Hospital and Ordu Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital between 2006 and 2011 were included in the study. The percentages of the patients older and younger than two years were 59.4% (n=275 patients, Group 1) and 40.6% (n=188 patients, Group 2), respectively. The parents were graduates of primary school in 67.2% of the cases and graduates of high school or university in 20% of the cases in the first group, while the respective percentages were 38.8% and 41.6% in the second group (p<0.05). In the first group, the parents stated that they were not aware of the problem in 86.6% of the cases, while it was stated that the child had been examined by other physicians for other reasons previously in 97.7% of the cases. Conclusions: An important reason for delay in diagnosis of undescended testis in our country may be due to low educational levels of families and the negligence of the physicians regarding the genital examination.