Orchidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both testicles and the subsequent insertion and positioning of a testicular prosthesis. Intervention is required in cases where trauma, spinal cord twisting, chronic inflammation, testicular tumor, etc have irreparably compromised testicular integrity.
Any Question ?
Get in Touch.
We're Here to Help.
- People with testicular tumors
- Individuals with didymic or epididymic tuberculosis
- Patients with spermatic cord twists
- Infection of the surgical wound
- Bleeding and a bruise
- Pain in the groin area
- Surgery of the lymph node
- Vasovasostomy
- Penectomy
About 1 hour
- Convalescence is short in the order of one to two weeks before recovering from normal activity
- 99 %
What is an orchidectomy?
Orchidectomy is the surgical removal of one or both testicles. When only one testicle is removed, clinicians refer to the surgery as unilateral orchidectomy, while when the removal concerns both testicles, they define the procedure with the most appropriate term of bilateral orchidectomy.
Orchidectomy is the first step in treating the testicular tumor. It is generally practiced for neoplastic processes, for tuberculosis of the Didymus or epididymis, for ischemic necrosis resulting from an acute torsion of the spermatic cord, on which no rapid action is undertaken. It is performed scrotal or inguinal, after ligation of the deferential canals and vessels and resection of the epididymis.
The causes of removal of the testicles
An orchidectomy, which is a resection of the testicles, is performed when a pathology has irreversibly undermined the integrity of the testis due to a tumor of the hormonal glands, an infection, or an abscess.
The tumor develops as a result of an alteration of testicular cells, which causes their uncontrollable growth and leads to the formation of a mass. Most testicular cancers come from germ cells, which give birth to sperm.
The testicular tumor is the most common orchidectomy factor that can occur at any age. Risk factors include a history of cancer, infertility, family history, prenatal disease, or hypogonadism syndrome (testicular malformation). Testicular tumors can be fatal, especially because they can cause metastases.
There is no effective program in place to prevent this type of cancer. Certainly, a regular self-assessment in one of the best clinics in Istanbul Turkey can help to intercept the disease at an early stage. However, some symptoms remain alarming in this regard : the decrease in sperm count, testicles below 12 ml, change in volume, and hardness of the testicles.
Infection or abscess is an infected testicle that must be removed so that the infection does not spread to the rest of the body.
Treatment and therapeutic strategies of orchidectomy in Turkey
The pre-operative phase
Similarly to any operation, it is strongly recommended to quit smoking at about 6 to 8 weeks before the operation. In addition, orchidectomy and further treatment may reduce the chances of having children, which is why it is recommended to keep sperm samples before carrying out an orchidectomy. This requires prior surgery.
Thus, before performing an orchidectomy in Istanbul Turkey, your urologist surgeon will explain the pathology, the procedures of the operation, and above all, he will answer all your questions, and afterward, you will perform the diagnoses, the necessary tests, and examinations to prevent any risk of complications.
The expected duration of the medical stay for an orchidectomy in Istanbul Turkey, requires a hospitalization, according to the patient’s state of health, from one to several days in one of the best clinics in Turkey.
Testicles removal: Side effects
Orchidectomy surgery for the removal of the testicles may result in the following risks and side effects:
- An infection from the surgical area.
- Bleeding and pain.
- Hematomas and accumulation of blood in the area of the wound.
- Hot flashes of heat.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.
- Fertility problems.
- Weight gain.
- Decrease in libido.
Consult your surgeon in Istanbul Turkey if you experience any of these potential risks or side effects related specifically to the orchidectomy surgery so that you can relieve your disorders as soon as possible.
The course of the operation in Istanbul Turkey
If testicular cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, surgery for the removal of the testicles in Turkey (radical inguinal orchidectomy) may be the only treatment needed, followed by close monitoring. If the stage of the disease is more advanced, additional treatment is required, depending on the type of cancer and stage, like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
The orchidectomy operation in Istanbul Turkey is performed under general anesthesia. Indeed, an incision is made at the inguinal level, through which the entire sick testicle is removed at the scrotum. If requested, once the diseased testicle is removed, an artificial silicone testicle can be inserted in its place.
The removal of a testicle does not affect the patient’s libido. The situation is different if both testicles are removed. The creation of testosterone and sperm, as well as fertility, is halted in this case.
Turquie Santé assures you the best equipped clinics in Turkey and experienced urologists with special training and extensive experience in surgical techniques that prevent damage to the nerves that minimize the risk of future ejaculation issues.
Share this page
After birth and to avoid the risk of cancer or of stopping the blood supply to the testicle (testicular torsion),it is recommended to perform the orchiectomy on a baby between the ages of 1 and 3 years.
The only condition to continue having children after an orchidectomy is to have unilateral surgery (removal of only one testicle). Contrary to bilateral orchiectomy, which consists of removing both of male genital glands to stop sperm production and therefore lose any chance of having a child.
Generally, castration (removal of both testicles) leads to a drop in testosterone levels, which causes a decrease in sexual desire which makes achieving an erection so difficult (partial erection or total absence).
Clinical examinations and ultrasounds are necessary to detect testicular cancer. Additional examinations are recommended to characterize cancer (tumor stage). Based on all of these, the surgeon will evaluate the need for testicular removal.
After testicular removal surgery, it's highly recommended to:
- Avoid having sexual relations
- Do not engage in strenuous activities
- Avoid washing in a bathtub so that the sutures do not dissolve
