PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bawazir, Osama A.
AU  - Maghrabi, Abdulrahman
AU  - Bawazeer, Omemh Abdullah
AU  - Binyahib, Soliman
AU  - Bawazir, Razan
AU  - Halabi, Nawaf
AU  - Bawazir, Abdullah
TI  - Comparison of the perspectives of the pediatric surgeons and pediatric urologists in management of cryptorchidism in Saudi Arabia
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2021.42.5.20210007
DP  - 2021 May 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 555--561
VI  - 42
IP  - 5
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/42/5/555.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/42/5/555.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2021 May 01; 42
AB  - Objectives: To evaluate the variability in perspectives between pediatric surgeons and pediatric urologists in managing cryptorchidism.Methods: We conducted this survey among pediatric surgeons and pediatric urologists managing cryptorchidism in Saudi Arabia in October 2020. We distributed a questionnaire to 187 consultants using the Google forms platform. We collected data related to the consultant’s experience, preoperative management, management of nonpalpable testes, management of palpable undescended testes, management of the cryptorchidism in special situations.Results: The response rate was 77% for pediatric surgeons (n=77) and 46% for pediatric urologists (n=40). The number of cases managed by each specialty per year differed significantly (p=0.02); however, there was no significant difference in their experience (p=0.37). The preferred age for orchidopexy was 6-12 months for both specialties. Pediatric surgeons tend to prescribe preoperative ultrasound more frequently for nonpalpable testes (p=0.05). Laparoscopy was the preferred surgical approach by both specialties. Management of intra-abdominal testes not reaching the contralateral internal ring differed between groups (p<0.001), and it was related to the number of procedures performed annually (p=0.03). Both groups responded differently to the management of unsatisfactory testicular position after orchidopexy (p<0.001). Pediatric surgeons managed it with either observation or re-operative inguinal orchidopexy; however, most pediatric urologists preferred re-operative inguinal orchidopexy. This response was affected by the number of procedures performed annually (p=0.04).Conclusion: In Saudi Arabia, practicing pediatric surgeons and pediatric urologists have different perspectives in the management of cryptorchidism. The results of this survey demonstrated the need to establish national guidelines to manage patients with cryptorchidism.