Gonadotropic Principle in the Treatment of Cryptorchidism

Abstract

Within the past one hundred years the problem of cryptorchidism has occupied the minds of many members of the medical profession. Originally the patient consulted his physician in the hope of improving the anatomic condition so as to be the equal of his fellowmen. Since that day, however, many new problems have arisen, concerned mainly with the desire for complete fertility and the insurance against possible malignant changes in the ectopic organ.In 1820 Koch, of Munich, performed the first orchidopexy. Unfortunately this operation was unsuccessful, as was the second operation, performed by Chelins. Sixty years later the first surgical cure was reported by Wood, and since that time there has been a growing interest in the surgical treatment of cryptorchidism. Numerous methods of procedure have been offered; some forms of technic have been entirely original, while others have been modifications of methods previously described. Many surgeons have been interested in this problem, and in the review of the literature one sees often the names of Max Schriller, Bevan, Torek, Keetley, Ombrédanne, Cabot, Burdick, Coley, Wangensteen, Walters, Theissen, McKenna and others. Some have been dissatisfied with the general results, particularly with the atrophy which may occur in the testicle postoperatively. From a study of the German literature up to 1922 it is seen that in 50 per cent of the cases the operation was reported as a failure. Since that time there have been numerous reports in this country of the records of operations in this field, and the percentage of cures has ranged from 42 to 92. Nevertheless, many physicians have held the hope that in From the Children's Memorial Hospital.