Everything you need to know about an Orchidopexy (for mums)

For those of you that don’t know earlier this week, Toby had an operation under general anaesthetic. It was possibly one of the scariest things I have ever experienced. Not because I didn’t have complete faith in the surgeons, but because when it’s your baby on the table, it’s a whole new ball game!

Toby had an Orchidopexy, which is a procedure to move an undescended testicle and fix it into the scrotum. Whilst I’m absolutely not doctor, I am a mummy who has been through this procedure with her little one and I googled the shiz out of orchidopexy but there was nothing but risk potentials and medical gargon about the procedure, so I thought this would be helpful for anyone who wants a MUMs (non-medical) point of view about what to expect with an orchidopexy.

Once again for the legal boffins – not a doctor, not a medical professional, just a mum sat next to a little boy who had the procedure yesterday. Good?

M’kay we’re good.

What to expect when your little one is having an Orchidopexy.

First thing is first, the preassessment.

Toby had his preassessment roughly 10 days before his op and it was SO reassuring. The appointment lasted longer than I expected, about 45mins and they went through everything, from checking vitals to checking that Adam and I were happy with all the info. There was a nurse to take vitals and explain the procedure to us and a play specialist to explain the procedure to Toby with the help of a teddy and all the equipment that that was going to be used to help him go off to sleep. The play specialist was AMAZING with Toby – they really made him feel so reassured. Honestly, so helpful. The nurse asks questions about his allergies, reactions to drugs and (he one I wasn’t expecting) his teeth being wobbly! Apparently this is because wobbly teeth can sometimes be knocked out by the tubes that they use to keep a patient asleep under general anaesthetic.

When we had our preassessment they gave Tobes a few things to help him process the op, from a colouring sheet with loads of info on it to a video link where he could watch exactly what was going to happen. The video was fabulous – designed for kids and SO helpful, it literally did a walk through of what to expect and who he would see. You didn’t see the operation of course, but a little girl going off to sleep under general.

After the preassessment I did my best to answer any of his questions, to reassure him as much as possible, but I think your little one is always going to be nervous. It’s part and parcel!
The night before the operation Toby was really worried. We put him in our bed, snuggled up with him and chatted about why he didn’t need to be afraid, the things that I would be putting in his bag. Once he’d dropped off, I came downstairs and did a little check list of things that we would be taking with us, from books he wanted to pack to stickers books and his kindle. It’s either an early start (if you have a morning surgery) or it’s a stressful wait, so pack your bag the night before.

We took the following:

• Soft pjs
• Slippers
• Dressing gown
• Water bottle
• Sticker books
• Kindle
• Chargers for kindles and our phones
• Sweets/fave treats for after
• Little toys to keep him entertained.

You can take whatever you want and at the preassessment they said there was no need to get changed into pjs BUT that most children want to curl up after their operation, so whatever he is super comfy in is the best idea for Tobias, that’s 100% the pjs and dressing gown combo.

We had an afternoon list so Toby was allowed to have breakfast, but the details will all be given to you of exactly what cut off times your child will have for food and drink. When we arrived we let Toby have a drink of water and then that was it, he had to go without for a few hours. This wasn’t as much of an issue as I thought it might be to be honest, he was really good and not all that fussed at all!

When we arrived on the day unit we were taken to a separate waiting area for kids. To be fair we were told that there would be lots for him to do but there wasn’t and the little waiting room was pretty crowded so I am so pleased I took his kindle and all the books/stickers. It made a world of difference. We saw the anaesthetist who asked if we had any questions and popped some numbing cream on Toby’s hands, after that we saw the consultant who went over the procedure one final time and got us to sign to say we were happy with everything. He also drew a target on Toby’s leg to make sure they knew which side was to be operated on.

For us there were two possibilities – 1 small incision underneath the scrotum which would be done with a couple of dissolvable stitches and where he would just have the testicle pulled down and tacked in place, or option 2 (which is what he ended up having) a small incision just above the groin and another underneath his scrotum.
Toby went down to the theatre with his Daddy, which at the time I was really upset about. I didn’t let it show because he asked for his dad but ultimately I wanted to be the one with him – it really did make me feel panicky not being there but after seeing Adam when he came back I’m so very pleased I didn’t. Adam and Toby went into the room where they put him under, he could either be on daddy’s lap or on the bed and he chose the bed. They used the cannula whilst he was playing on a tablet, if this hadn’t been possible for whatever reason, he would have used the mask to go off to sleep with. Once he was asleep, Adam and I went for coffee and cake.

If I can impart upon you, dearest reader, one piece of advice when your child is under general anaesthetic it is that calories don’t count on hospital grounds and you ABSOLUTELY have to faceplant cake. All the cake.

We were told that it would be around an hour before we were called to recovery but it was so much sooner, we practically ran to get him. It was around 35mins but it’s different for absolutely everyone, so don’t panic if it’s longer than you expected.

Once in recovery they let him doze for a while and then woke him up which he wasn’t happy about. He was still in the “drunk” phase, vey dizzy and very tired, a little weepy because he wanted to sleep, but not in any immediate pain.

It was another 2hrs or so on the ward with him, they get them a drink and then wait a little while before offering food. You can take a pack up (or we were offered the chance) or they will supply food. Tobes ate ERRRTHANG. He had a ham sandwich, packet of crisps, bowl of jelly, a packet of wine gums and then some mini sausages and grapes when he came home. He was famished!
If everything goes to plan you can go home the same day! We were told a few different things, from 4-5 days off school to a week, but we’re playing it by ear. He’s up and about, shooting nerf guns as I speak but every so often he bends over and says he hurts. It’s very much up and down at the moment!

We’ve been told a shower the day after and a bath the day after that, and to keep him quiet – no sports for around 3 weeks. The biggest challenge is going to be keeping him still and quiet!
I think I will write a couple more posts with handy tips that have helped me, but as far as an orchidopexy, that’s what to expect!

H 🙂