Orchiopexy
What is Orchiopexy?
Orchiopexy is a surgical procedure to move an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) into the scrotum and secure it in place, often performed in young children to enhance fertility potential and reduce testicular cancer risk. In India, orchiopexy is conducted in pediatric urology or surgery departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for caregivers.
Why do you need Orchiopexy?
Orchiopexy is indicated for:
- Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism):
- Testicle fails to descend into the scrotum by 6 months of age (3–5% of full-term boys, 30% of preemies).
- Types: Palpable (80%, in inguinal canal); non-palpable (20%, intra-abdominal or absent).
- Symptoms: Empty scrotum, often asymptomatic; may be associated with inguinal hernia (as noted in your prior query).
- Associated conditions:
- Inguinal hernia (70–90% of cases); hypospadias (10%, as you asked earlier); or chromosomal anomalies (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome, rare).
- Timing:
- Typically performed at 6–18 months to optimize fertility and minimize cancer risk; can be done later if diagnosed late.
The procedure aims to position the testicle in the scrotum, secure it to prevent retraction, and address associated hernias, improving long-term testicular health and function.
Why Do Orchiopexy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹40,000 to ₹1.2 lakh :
- Procedure Type: Inguinal orchiopexy (₹40,000–₹70,000); laparoscopic (₹70,000–₹1.2 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹70,000–₹1.2 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹15,000–₹40,000, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced pediatric urologists charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹5,000–₹15,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹10,000/day), ultrasound (₹2,000–₹5,000), medications (₹2,000–₹5,000).
- Insurance: Covered for medical necessity; confirm with your provider.
Orchiopexy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Physical exam: Confirms testicle location (palpable or non-palpable); done at birth and 6 months.
- Ultrasound (if non-palpable): Locates testicle (inguinal/abdominal); MRI rarely needed.
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile.
- Consent: Risks, including testicular atrophy, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Orchiopexy:
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 1–2 hours.
- Approach:
- Inguinal orchiopexy: For palpable testicles; 2 small incisions (groin and scrotum, 2–3 cm each).
- Laparoscopic orchiopexy: For non-palpable testicles; small incisions, camera-guided to locate and mobilize testicle.
- Repair:
- Testicle mobilized, preserving blood supply (spermatic cord lengthened if needed).
- Associated hernia sac (if present) ligated and removed (herniotomy).
- Testicle brought into scrotum through a new passage; secured with sutures (dartos pouch technique).
- Closure: Skin sutured with absorbable stitches; dressing applied.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Laparoscope (if needed): Locates intra-abdominal testicle.
- Fine sutures: Secures testicle and closes incisions.
- Doppler probe: Confirms testicular blood flow.
- Orchiopexy:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Care: Keep incisions dry; avoid straddling activities (e.g., bicycle) for 2–3 weeks.
- Pain management: Mild to moderate pain for 2–5 days; managed with acetaminophen.
- Instructions: Monitor for swelling; normal activities in 1–2 weeks.
Recovery After Orchiopexy
- Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain/Swelling: Mild to moderate pain and scrotal swelling for 2–5 days; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Activity: Avoid straddling activities for 2–3 weeks; normal play in 1–2 weeks.
- Incision: Keep dry for 5–7 days; sutures dissolve in 2–3 weeks.
- Testicle: Monitor position; should remain in scrotum (check at follow-up).
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week (check healing) and 1 month (assess testicular position).
- Long-term: Annual checks until puberty for testicular growth and cancer screening.
Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks; full recovery takes 4–6 weeks. Success rate: 95–98% achieve proper testicular positioning; fertility preserved in 80–90% if done before 2 years.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (1–3%): Hematoma in scrotum/groin; may resolve spontaneously.
- Infection (1–2%): At incision site; treated with antibiotics.
- Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to general anesthesia; rare in healthy children.
- Post-Surgery:
- Testicular atrophy (1–2%): Due to impaired blood supply; rare with careful technique.
- Retraction (2–5%): Testicle moves back up; may need redo orchiopexy.
- Wound dehiscence (1–2%): Suture line opens; needs re-suturing.
- Hernia recurrence (1–2%): If associated hernia not fully addressed.
- Long-Term:
- Infertility (5–10%): If surgery delayed beyond 2 years or bilateral cryptorchidism.
- Testicular cancer risk (2–4 times higher): Still low (1 in 2,000); needs lifelong monitoring.
Report fever, severe swelling, or testicular retraction promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes an undescended testicle?
Hormonal or anatomical factors during fetal development; more common in preemies or with family history.
Can I avoid orchiopexy?
No, surgery is recommended to reduce cancer risk and preserve fertility; spontaneous descent unlikely after 6 months.
Is orchiopexy painful?
Mild to moderate pain for 2–5 days, managed with medication; children recover quickly.
How soon can my child resume normal activities?
Normal play: 1–2 weeks; full recovery: 4–6 weeks; avoid straddling activities for 2–3 weeks.
Is orchiopexy covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for medical necessity; confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe swelling, or testicular retraction.
Will my child have normal fertility?
80–90% preserve fertility if done before 2 years; risk increases if delayed or bilateral.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Avoid straddling activities, monitor testicular position, and attend long-term follow-ups for cancer screening.
Conclusion
Orchiopexy is a safe and effective procedure to correct an undescended testicle, preserving fertility and reducing cancer risk with a high success rate. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance or subsidized. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps caregivers approach surgery confidently. Consult a pediatric urologist for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Orchiopexy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Ahmedabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Ajmer |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Aligarh |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Allahabad |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Amritsar |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Aurangabad |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bangalore |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Bareilly |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Belgaum |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bhopal |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bikaner |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Chandigarh |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Chennai |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Coimbatore |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Dehradun |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Delhi |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Dhanbad |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Durgapur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Faridabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Ghaziabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Gorakhpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Guntur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Gurgaon |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Guwahati |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Gwalior |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Hyderabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Indore |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Jabalpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Jaipur |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Jalandhar |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Jamshedpur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Jodhpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Kanpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Kochi |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Kolkata |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Kollam |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Lucknow |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Ludhiana |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Madurai |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Mangalore |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Meerut |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Moradabad |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Mumbai |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Mysore |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Nagpur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Nashik |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Noida |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Patna |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Pune |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Raipur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Rajkot |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Ranchi |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Surat |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Thane |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Vadodara |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Varanasi |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.