The increase in number of orchidopexies: rather cause than prevention of male infertility.

Because of the present tendency to operate early on undescended testes, the indication for orchidopexy amounts to six-to-seven times the justified number in the Netherlands and two-to-three times in Flanders! The tendency to operate early has surely caused more fertility damage than prevented it. This critical statement asks for consideration and urges everybody concerned to a more accurate and repeated physical examination of the genital region and to a conservative attitude regarding treatment.