​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

One of the testicles either appears to be missing or cannot be felt in the scrotum/ scrotal sac.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Children may experience infertility if left untreated. The higher temperature inside the body can affect testicle’s development and sperm production. Men with both testicles affected are more likely to experience fertility-related issues than men with only one affected testicle. It can also cause inguinal hernia. This causes the intestine to push out through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Only surgery can correct this condition, which can result in a damaged, incarcerated intestine and death if not treated. Undescended testicles are a risk factor for testicular cancer. The risk of cancer is reduced the earlier the procedure is done. The condition also can cause embarrassment due to feeling different.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Undescended testis is the most common birth anomaly in boys. Undescended testis is present in about 1-4.5% of new-borns with a higher incidence in premature babies (30-45%).Unilateral (one testis) undescended testis is four times more likely than bilateral (both testis). Data on this condition is scarce in Kenya. The true prevalence of acquired undescended testicles is still unknown.

What does the treatment process look like?

After surgery, the patient will stay in the hospital for an average of three days. The patient is continually monitored and If the wound is well healed, and the testes are palpable in the scrotum, the surgery is considered to be successful.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

Treatment will reduce the risk of testicular cancer, inguinal hernia and infertility.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The procedure is very treatable and low risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

There are few quality centres in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition. There is delayed presentation resulting in morphological changes, increased complications, number of orchidectomy and reduced chance of testicular growth post orchidopexy.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Undescended testicles will usually move down into the scrotum naturally by the time a child is three to six months old. In some cases, this does not happen until the child is six to 12 months old. If the testicles do not descend by your child's first birthday, it is very unlikely they will do so without treatment. An alternative to surgery is to use synthetic hormones that encourage the testicle move into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is usually only recommended if the child’s testicle(s) are close to the scrotum. This is because the treatment is usually ineffective in treating testicles that are located higher up. Hormone therapy is also not commonly available in Kenya.