After Surgery for an Undescended Testicle: How to Care for Your Child

Some boys are born with an undescended testicle (a testicle that doesn't move all the way down to the scrotum). It usually happens in one testicle but can sometimes happen in both. An undescended testicle can lead to other medical problems, so surgeons move the testicle into the scrotum. The surgeon made a cut in the lower part of the belly or in the scrotum. Then the testicle was gently pulled down into the scrotum. Stitches were placed to keep the testicle in the scrotum.

• Give your son any medicines as prescribed by the surgeon.

• If your son has pain, a medicine may help. Use these medicines exactly as directed:

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)

  • OR

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Don't give to babies under 6 months old.

• Eating:

  • After the surgery, it's OK for your child to have clear liquids (such as broth) and watered-down juice. For babies, give an oral electrolyte drink. Brand names include Pedialyte® and Enfalyte® and many stores also have a store brand. 

  • If your son is OK with drinking the clear liquids or electrolyte drink, you can let him slowly go back to a regular diet as recommended by the health care provider.

• Follow the surgeon's instructions on taking off any bandages, strips, or dressings.

• Keep the area where the surgeon made the cut clean. Give sponge baths for the first 2 days. Then give short baths (5–10 minutes) for the next week.

• For 1–2 weeks, help your son avoid straddle toys, roughhousing, contact sports (such as football and hockey), playing at a playground (where he could fall on a bar), and riding a bike.

• Go to any follow-up appointments as recommended.

Your son:

• throws up and cannot keep any fluids down

• gets a fever

• has bleeding from the surgical site 

• has increasing redness around the surgical site 

Your son:

• has worsening pain

• is very fussy and can't be comforted

• has swelling in the scrotum

Will the testicle that was moved stay in the scrotum? In most cases, the testicle will stay in the scrotum. Rarely, a second surgery may be needed to move it again.

What are the risks from having an undescended testis? The health care provider will talk with you about possible risks from an undescended testicle, which include:

• testicular torsion (twisting of the testis) 

• lower than normal sperm count

• a very low risk of testicular cancer