THE MANAGEMENT OF UNDESCENDED TESTIS: FROM THE GUIDELINES TO THE CLINICAL PRACTICE. A STUDY PROTOCOL

Key words: Cryptorchidism, Guidelines, Therapy,

Undescended testis is a common finding in boys, with a prevalence at birth between 2-8%. Its treatment has been matter of debate for several years. Recently, a consensus among specialists from the Nordic countries on the state- of-the-art in the treatment of undescended testicles has been reached and published. In the light of these clear guidelines, we decided to conduct a study with the aim of describing the current management of cryptorchidism among Italian family paediatricians and of detecting any difference from the recommended guidelines. After this first retrospective descriptive phase of the study, a second prospective phase is planned in order to assess undescended testis management after the diffusion of the current guidelines. The detailed protocol of the study is presented.