ISSN:
1437-9813
Keywords:
Cryptorchidism
;
Epididymal abnormality
;
Azoospermia
;
Fertility
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Epididymal and vasal abnormalities (EVA) have long been known to be associated with cryptorchidism. In order to provide data concerning the incidence of EVA in undescended testicles, we operatively examined the anatomic relationship of the epididymis, vas, and testis in 456 cryptorchid patients (390 unilateral and 66 bilateral, over-all 522 undescended testes). As a control group we examined 50 adults postmortem and 96 pediatric patients operated upon for inguinal hernia or hydrocele. We divided the operative findings into two groups: simple variants of normal, and forms of complete anatomic disconnection of the spermatic ducts. We were unable to find any anatomic disconnection in either control group. In contrast, in 99 of the 522 maldescended testes operated upon (19%) we found some form of anatomic disconnection along the proximal spermatic ducts. The incidence was 17% in unilateral cryptorchidism and 26% in bilateral cases, in 16% of whom the EVA was bilateral. According to the literature and our previous study, azoospermia is present in about 18%–20% of adults operated upon for bilateral cryptorchidism. Our present study may suggest that in bilateral cryptorchid patients who were operated upon in the pediatric age range, the azoospermia in adulthood could be partially related to some form of bilateral occlusion or interruption of the spermatic ducts.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00176121
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