Reassuring pediatric urology consultation room at Zabinski Urology in Melbourne, FL

Undescended Testicles Care in Melbourne, FL

Compassionate evaluation for newborns, children, and adult patients

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Affects 3% Newborns:Roughly 1 in 30 full-term boys at birth, higher in preterm

Ideal Treatment Age:Orchidopexy between 6 and 18 months of age

Procedure:Outpatient orchidopexy or referral coordinated care

Long-Term Outcomes:Better fertility and lower cancer risk with early repair

Parent and child speaking with a board-certified urologist about undescended testicles in Melbourne, FL

Overview

Understanding Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism)

Patient-focused pediatric and adult urology on the Space Coast

At Zabinski Urology in Melbourne, FL, we evaluate and manage undescended testicles for families across the Space Coast, including Palm Bay, Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Indialantic, Satellite Beach, and Suntree. Cryptorchidism is one of the most common urological findings in newborn boys, affecting roughly 3 percent of full-term infants and a higher percentage of premature babies. When one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum before birth, timely urological evaluation matters for healthy development, fertility potential, and lifelong testicular health.

Most cases are identified at the newborn nursery exam or the first well-child visit. While many testicles descend on their own within the first six months of life, those that remain undescended after that window typically require surgical correction. Pediatricians across Brevard County refer to Zabinski Urology because the practice combines decades of urologic surgery experience with a calm, family-focused approach that puts parents at ease.

Less commonly, cryptorchidism is diagnosed in older boys, teenagers, or adults. An ascending or retractile testis, a previously missed diagnosis, or an acquired form following surgery in the groin can all present later in life. The Zabinski team evaluates each patient individually, explains the findings in plain language, and coordinates care so families feel informed at every step. For appointment scheduling, please contact our Melbourne office or call (321) 372-1372.

Anatomical illustration of testicular descent during fetal development used to explain cryptorchidism to parents

Causes

What Leads to Undescended Testicles

During normal fetal development, the testicles form in the abdomen and gradually descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum, usually finishing the journey during the third trimester. Cryptorchidism occurs when that descent is interrupted, leaving one or both testicles in the abdomen, inguinal canal, or upper scrotum at birth. The exact trigger varies from child to child and may involve hormonal signaling, anatomic factors, prematurity, low birth weight, or genetic influences.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, premature birth is the strongest single risk factor, with up to 30 percent of preterm boys affected compared with about 3 percent of full-term infants. Family history of cryptorchidism, maternal exposure to certain chemicals, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight have also been associated with higher rates. In some children, no specific cause is ever identified, and that is normal. The condition is a developmental finding, not anything a parent did or could have prevented.

In older boys, a previously normal testis can occasionally retract upward and stop returning to the scrotum spontaneously, a pattern called an ascending or acquired undescended testis. This usually develops between ages 4 and 10 and is one reason routine well-child exams remain important throughout childhood.

Pediatric urologist reviewing referral notes with parents at the Melbourne office

Learn More

Timing, Monitoring, and When to Refer

What parents and primary care providers should know

Up to half of testicles that are undescended at birth will descend spontaneously, but almost always within the first three to six months of life. After six months of age, spontaneous descent becomes very unlikely, which is why the American Urological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend referral to a pediatric urology specialist if a testicle has not descended by that age. Waiting beyond the first birthday without specialist evaluation is no longer considered best practice.

Once referred, evaluation at Zabinski Urology begins with a careful physical examination in a warm, quiet room. Imaging is generally not required because ultrasound and MRI rarely change the surgical plan in a child with a non-palpable testis. If the testicle cannot be felt on examination, the next step is usually a diagnostic laparoscopy at the time of planned surgery, which both locates the testis and corrects the problem in the same anesthetic.

The optimal window for orchidopexy, the surgery that brings the testis into the scrotum and secures it there, is between 6 and 18 months of age. Performing the procedure within this window protects long-term fertility potential and reduces the risk of complications. For older children, teens, and adults who were never treated, evaluation and individualized surgical planning are still important. Many of our families choose Zabinski Urology because our pediatric urology service line provides experienced surgical care close to home, sparing families a longer drive to Orlando or Tampa.

Educational diagram of the inguinal canal pathway showing where an undescended testis may stop

Prematurity

Babies born before 37 weeks have substantially higher rates because descent often happens late in the third trimester.

Low Birth Weight

Infants under 2.5 kg are at higher risk regardless of gestational age.

Family History

Having a father or brother with cryptorchidism increases the likelihood.

Hormonal Factors

Disruption in androgen or insulin-like factor 3 signaling can stall descent.

Anatomic Obstruction

A narrowed inguinal canal or short spermatic cord can physically prevent the testis from reaching the scrotum.

Acquired or Ascending Type

A previously descended testis retracts upward over time, often noticed between ages 4 and 10.

Our urologists reviewing a pediatric case at Zabinski Urology in Melbourne, FL

Why Us

Why Choose Zabinski Urology for Undescended Testicles Care in Melbourne, FL

Father and Son Urology Team
Board-Certified Expertise
Local, Family-Friendly Care
Coordinated Referral Network

Service	How It Relates to Undescended Testicles	Typical Patient	Setting	Anesthesia
Circumcision	Frequently scheduled at the same surgical visit as orchidopexy when both are indicated	Newborns and pediatric patients	Outpatient clinic or surgery center	Local or general based on age
Infertility Evaluations	Adults with a history of untreated or late-corrected cryptorchidism may benefit from semen analysis and hormonal workup	Adult men evaluating fertility	In-office consultation	None
Cystoscopy	Helpful when an adult patient with a history of cryptorchidism presents with related urinary symptoms requiring direct visualization	Adults with urological symptoms	In-office procedure	Local with sedation as needed

Calm pediatric exam room at Zabinski Urology where evaluations for undescended testicles are performed

Signs to Watch For

When to Schedule an Evaluation

Recognizing undescended testicles in children and adults

Empty Scrotum at Newborn Exam
Persistent Asymmetry
Testicle That Retracts Upward
Inguinal Swelling or Lump
Adult Diagnosis
Following Inguinal Surgery

01 At what age should my child have an undescended testicle evaluated?

If a testicle has not descended into the scrotum by 6 months of age, your child should be referred to a urologist. Most pediatricians follow this guideline. Waiting beyond the first birthday is no longer recommended because the chance of spontaneous descent after 6 months is very low and earlier surgical correction protects long-term fertility and testicular health.

02 Is surgery always required?

Many testicles descend on their own during the first 6 months of life. If yours does not, surgery (orchidopexy) is the standard of care. The procedure brings the testis into the scrotum and secures it, and is best performed between 6 and 18 months of age. Some adult cases also require surgical management or removal depending on the individual situation.

03 What does orchidopexy involve?

Orchidopexy is an outpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision in the groin (and sometimes the scrotum), locates the testis, frees it from surrounding tissue, and secures it in the scrotum. For non-palpable testes, a brief diagnostic laparoscopy is performed first. Most children go home the same day and resume normal activity within a few days.

04 Will my child have normal fertility later in life?

Early surgical correction substantially improves fertility outlook compared with untreated cryptorchidism, but outcomes depend on whether one or both testicles were affected and how long the testis was outside the scrotum. Boys with bilateral untreated cryptorchidism have higher rates of infertility than those treated early. We discuss expectations honestly with each family.

05 Is there a higher cancer risk later?

Yes, men with a history of cryptorchidism have a modestly increased lifetime risk of testicular cancer compared to the general population. Orchidopexy does not eliminate this risk entirely, but it allows for self-examination and earlier detection of any future abnormalities. We teach age-appropriate testicular self-exam at follow-up visits.

06 What if my testicle was never corrected and I am now an adult?

Adult patients with previously untreated cryptorchidism should still be evaluated. Treatment options vary and may include surgical removal of a non-functional intra-abdominal testis (because of the cancer risk), orchidopexy in some teens, or simply observation with regular monitoring. Our urologists create an individualized plan after a thorough examination.

07 How do I schedule a pediatric urology evaluation?

Call our Melbourne office at (321) 372-1372 or visit our contact page online. We accept referrals from pediatricians across the Space Coast and most major insurance plans, with CareCredit available for out-of-pocket needs. Our staff coordinates appointment timing around your family's schedule.

Location129 W Hibiscus Blvd, Suite D
Melbourne , FL, 32901

Emailinfo@zabinskiurology.com

Phone(321) 372-1372

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Scientific References

PubMed (PMID: 25168314) - Kolon TF, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Cryptorchidism: AUA Guideline. Journal of Urology, 2014, establishing the 6 to 18 month optimal surgical window.
PubMed (PMID: 17307568) - Pettersson A, et al. Age at Surgery for Undescended Testis and Risk of Testicular Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 2007, demonstrating reduced cancer risk with earlier orchidopexy.
PubMed (PMID: 18280711) - Lee PA, Coughlin MT. Fertility After Bilateral Cryptorchidism. Hormone Research, demonstrating fertility outcomes correlated with timing of treatment.
PubMed (PMID: 28219687) - Radmayr C, et al. Management of Undescended Testes: European Association of Urology and European Society for Paediatric Urology Guidelines, 2017.
American Urological Association - Current Cryptorchidism Guideline recommending referral by 6 months of age and surgical correction by 18 months when descent has not occurred.
American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org - Parent-facing overview of undescended testicles, evaluation, and treatment expectations.

Undescended Testicles Care in Melbourne, FL

Understanding Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism)

What Leads to Undescended Testicles

Timing, Monitoring, and When to Refer