Calendario chirurgico

The timing and treatment of a few common surgical conditions are discussed. Inguinal hernia should be surgically treated as soon as possible. Funicular cyst and hydrocele can wait until the end of the second year. Testes must be in their scrotal site by the end of the second year. Hormonal treatment - with HCG rather than LHRH - is effective in 10% of cases of undescended testis. Ultrasound is indicated when the testis is not palpable and laparoscopy when ultrasound is negative. If neither testes are palpable nor visible, hormone levels should be investigated and chromosomal abnormalities looked for.