Testis conditions in children

Specialty: Children's surgery
Age group: Children

Criteria for referral to public hospital service

• Unilateral or bilateral undescended testes that cannot be manipulated into the bottom of the scrotum in a child older than 3 months
• Hydrocele(s) in a child older than 2 years.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

• Findings on physical examination
• Child’s age.

Provide if available

• For undescended testes relevant findings of the physical examination at birth or the 8-week maternal and child health visit, or both
• Statement about the parent(s) or guardian’s interest in having surgical treatment if that is a possible intervention
• If the child identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• If the child has a preferred language other than English and if they rely on cultural or linguistic support (e.g. Aboriginal cultural support, an interpreter)
• If the child is from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
• If the child lives in out-of-home care (foster care, kinship care, permanent care or residential care).

Additional comments

The Minimum information for referrals to non-admitted specialist services lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

Diagnostic imaging has no role in the assessment or management of undescended or retractile testes. Imaging reports do not inform the assessment of referrals and unnecessary imaging adds to parenteral concern.

Testes may spontaneously descend, and hydroceles may resolve, and this may be identified on a subsequent physical examination. If this occurs an appointment is no longer required, and the referral request should be withdrawn.

Note there are children's surgery statewide referral criteria for Abdominal wall, groin and umbilical hernias in children.

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

• Undescended testes in a child younger than 3 months old
• Testes that can be manipulated into the bottom of the scrotum
• Resolved hydrocele(s) in a child younger than 2 years.