The prevalence of retractile testes in school age boys has been estimated at between 4 and 13 per 1000 boys. Such testes have completed the descent process and can be brought down into the scrotum by manipulation but, when released, retract into the inguinal canal by cremasteric contraction. Although retractile testes are commonly regarded as normal there is still debate about their management. It is not known, for instance, how long each …