Cryptorchidism as a result of burn injury

Abstract

Thermal injury of the genitalia usually occurs as part of larger body surface burns. The most common sequelae of burns of the penoscrotal region are contractures of penile shaft, but we did not encounter any reported cases in English Literature with cryptorchidism as a sequel of burn injury. A 7 year old boy with cryptorchidism as a component of extensive perineal and inguinal burn deformity is reported to indicate the role of burn injury in cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism as a component of perineal burn injury may be caused by the attachment of the cremaster muscle or fascia to the abdominal wall during the process of wound healing. As healing process of wounds on inguinal region by contraction may cause testis entrapment and cryptorchidism, a careful genital examination bears a great importance in inguinal burn deformities in order not to miss any trapped testis and replace it as early as possible before degenerative changes begin. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI.