Evaluation of the role of human chorionic gonadotropin therapy in the management of retractile testes in children

Background and objective: Retractile testis is relatively common in pediatric population. This study followed up boys with retractile testis to investigate the natural course and the need for hormonal therapy and surgical treatments. Methods: A total of 110 boys aged 1.5-10.1 years (mean: 3.2 years) diagnosed as retractile testes, 67 (60.9%) unilateral and 43 (39.09%) bilateral. The mean follow-up period was 4.9±1.3 years. The diagnosis is confirmed on history and examination and ultrasound was made for measuring the size of the testis. Results: A total of 47 (42.72%) cases received human chorionic gonadotropin (17 bilateral and 30 unilateral). Response occurred in 32 boys (68.1%),12 bilateral and 20 unilateral. Failure of response occurred in 15 boys (31.9%). Fourteen of 110 boys (12.72 %) were referred for orchiopexy, including 1 of 12 (8.3%) of bilateral cases and 2 of 20 (10%) of unilateral cases who responded to human chorionic gonadotropin injection, 2 of 5 bilateral cases (40%) and 1 in 10 unilateral cases (10%) in those did not respond to treatment. In those who did not receive treatment, orchiopexy was performed in 6 of 26 bilateral cases (23.1) and in 2 of 37 unilateral cases (5.4%). Conclusion: Although testicular descent was achieved by short-term hormone therapy, the study revealed that there is no significant statistical difference for the need for orchiopexy between those received and those did not receive human chorionic gonadotropin.