[Cryptorchidism (author's transl)].

The treatment of cryptorchidism should start at the age of two years because of pathological and anatomical studies. Ectopic testicles, inguinal hernias and postoperative situations associated with a wrong position of the testicle are primary indications for surgical corrections. Fixed inguinal, retractile or abdominal testicles may be primarily treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). The success rate after medical treatment averages 50%. The intranasal application of the releasing hormone of luteotropic hormone (LH-RH) may represent an alternative approach to the treatment of cryptorchidism. If treatment with LH-RH is to obtain the same success rate as HCG in larger series it may combine the advantage of painlessness with no androgenic side effects.