Laparoscopy in the Management of Impalpable Testicle

Purpose : In paediatric urology, one of the main applications of laparoscopy is the evaluation and treatment of impalpable testis. Herein we present our initial experience with laparoscopy in patients with impalpable testis. Material and Methods : Laparoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia on 13 patients. If the internal spermatic vessels and vas deferens made their way into the internal inguinal ring, the inguinal canal was dissected. Laparoscopic orchiopexy or orchiectomy was performed in cases with intra-abdominal testis. If the internal spermatic vessels found terminated intraperitoneally with a blind-end, the case was considered as a vanishing testis.

Results : Thirteen boys, aged from 18 months to 25 years (median 9.8 years) were identified with 21 impalpable testes. 14 of the 21 impalpable testes, the vas and the vessels were through the internal ring, and the inguinal region needed dissection. Orchiopexy was performed on 12 testes and orchiectomy was performed on two atrophic testes. Four of 21 testes were intra-abdominally localized. Laparoscopic orchiopexy was performed in two testes and laparoscopic orchiectomy was performed in two testes. Two boys were diagnosed as vanishing testes; the absence was unilateral on the left side in one case and bilateral in the other.

Conclusion : Diagnostic laparoscopy is a very helpful, minimally invasive technique in the diagnosis of impalpable testes especially when ultrasonography and/or computed tomography are not informative enough. In addition, orchiectomy and orchiopexy can be done as laparoscopically in the patients with intra-abdominal testes. Therefore, the laparoscopy has an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of impalpable testes.     

The difficult orchidopexy: the value of the abdominal pre-peritoneal approach

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the outcome of using the abdominal pre-peritoneal (APP) approach to orchidopexy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During an 8-year period, the experience of one surgeon in the management of 553 boys (median age 4.5 years, range 1-13) with undescended testes (596 testes) was assessed. The analysis emphasized those patients who had an orchidopexy performed using the APP approach detailing; the original position of the testis at exploration, whether successful placement within the scrotum was possible, and whether atrophy or ascent of the gonad occurred subsequently. RESULTS: In 98 boys (110 testes) the testes were impalpable or high within the inguinal canal and they were explored using the APP approach. Of the 34 testes (31%) which were found abdominally, 12 were high intra-abdominal and the remaining 22 just deep to the internal inguinal ring. These included seven bilateral and 20 unilateral intra-abdominal testes. The remaining 76 undescended testes included five with bilateral high testes, 29 high unilateral testes, 13 repeat orchidopexies, 17 'vanishing testis syndrome' and seven atrophic testes. The remaining 486 undescended testes were treated using a standard orchidopexy and were therefore excluded from analysis. CONCLUSION: The value and advantages of this operative approach and its place in the management strategy of the difficult orchidopexy are discussed.     

Emerging trends in the management of the impalpable testis.

BACKGROUND: The management of the impalpable undescended testis is controversial. The study examines emerging trends in the management of this problem. METHODS: Two groups of boys were treated consecutively and recorded prospectively from 1974 to 1984 and from 1990 to 1998 inclusive. A consistent policy of using the preperitoneal approach for impalpable testis was adopted during both time intervals but during the second study period examination under anaesthesia and diagnostic laparoscopy were introduced to ascertain testicular presence and location. RESULTS: Some 919 boys were treated for cryptorchidism during the study period. Ninety boys in the first group (23 per cent) underwent preperitoneal explorations for impalpable testes. Anorchia was present in 18 and orchidectomy was performed in two boys. Thirty boys in the later group (5 per cent) were diagnosed as having impalpable testes. Fifteen boys underwent successful preperitoneal orchidopexy, anorchia was present in 11 and four underwent orchidectomy, carried out for high intra-abdominal testes. CONCLUSION: Examination under anaesthesia and subsequent laparoscopic assessment for all impalpable testes has reduced the need for preperitoneal exploration for the impalpable undescended testis. In this large series, division of the testicular vessels in order to secure scrotal placement of the testis was required in one instance only.     

Laparoscopy for the impalpable testes: experience with 53 testes.

Impalpable testes constitute approximately 20% of most series of undescended testes. From January 1986 to March 1991, we performed laparoscopies on 53 patients with impalpable testes. Thirty-two of them were found to have normal vasa and vessels entering each internal ring on the side in question. Of these, 14 were found to have "vanishing testes" at exploration, 12 others underwent successful orchiopexy, and the remaining 6 had excisional biopsies of fibrotic testicular remnants. Five patients had no visible vessels and a sixth had a blind-ending vas and vessels adjacent to the internal ring; in these cases no further investigations were deemed necessary. Fifteen patients were found to have abdominal testes and underwent high testicular vessel ligation and division at the time of the laparoscopy; 14 of them have undergone staged orchiopexy 6 months after laparoscopy and one is scheduled for this procedure. A 3-month follow-up of those who had orchiopexy showed excellent results in 10 patients and poor results in 3, all of whom had small testes that were unimproved or worse following vessel ligation. Four boys were spared operations as a result of findings at laparoscopy. Early in the series there was one failed laparoscopy, but it was successfully completed later. the procedure, but it was successfully treated with antibiotics. There were no other complications. Laparoscopy is a safe procedure that allows accurate diagnosis and may prevent additional intervention in the treatment of the absent testes. It facilitates the locating of the impalpable testis and the planning and timing of subsequent orchiopexy. We believe that laparoscopy is the preferred procedure in the management of impalpable testes.     

小儿腹股沟不可触及睾丸的隐睾症诊治

目的:总结腹股沟不可触及睾丸的小儿隐睾症诊治经验。方法:回顾性分析收治腹股沟不能触及睾丸的隐睾患儿36例临床诊治资料。分析腹腔镜手术指征,腹股沟探查指征,术前超声检查的作用和术式的选择。结果:腹股沟不能触及的隐睾共36例(41侧),占总数的10.0%(36/361),经腹腔镜和腹股沟探查确定睾丸缺如18例(侧),腹内型隐睾16例(21侧),阴囊内睾丸残余2例(侧)。将腹腔镜下所见分4型,I型9例(侧),II型9例(侧)(其中IA型7例,IB型2例),III型11例(13侧),IV型7例(10侧)[其中IVA型5例(7侧),IVB型2例(3侧)]。分别采用经腹股沟睾丸下降固定,腹腔镜辅助睾丸下降固定术,分期Fowler-Stephen术。术前超声结果阳性诊断率为75%(27/36),睾丸缺如患儿对侧睾丸体积明显大于腹内型隐睾及睾丸残余患儿对侧睾丸体积。术后随访睾丸萎缩1例。结论:对于腹股沟未能查到睾丸的小儿隐睾症应行腹腔镜检查,腹腔镜下II型者,无需再行腹股沟探查,I型需探查腹股沟及阴囊。III型和IVB型可经腹股沟或腹腔镜辅助下行睾丸下降固定术,IVA型隐睾需在腹腔镜辅助下行睾丸下降固定或行分期Fowler-Stephen术。术前超声检查对侧睾丸大小有利于判断是否有睾丸缺如。     

Impalpable testis: laparoscopy or inguinal canal exploration?

OBJECTIVE: There is great controversy regarding the best approach to impalpable testis. In this retrospective study we evaluated the accuracy of intraperitoneal laparoscopy, inguinal canal exploration and ultrasound in the diagnosis of impalpable testis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a 2-year period (2004-06), 76 patients with a diagnosis of uni- or bilateral clinically impalpable testis were referred to our center. A preoperative ultrasound evaluation was done and all patients underwent intraperitoneal laparoscopy. An inguinal canal incision and exploration was done in all cases except for patients with high intra-abdominal testes (> 2 cm above the internal ring), for whom laparoscopic dissection, mobilization and orchidopexy were necessary. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 15.36 years (range 1-39 years). The undescended testis (UDT) was right-sided in 25% of patients, left-sided in 41% and bilateral in 34%. Intraperitoneal laparoscopy, inguinal canal exploration and ultrasound detected 70.6%, 78.4% and 15.6% of testes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy changed the management protocol of impalpable UDT in only 21% of cases. Inguinal canal exploration alone was sufficient in the majority of our cases. We recommend laparoscopy for those patients with impalpable UDT in whom an initial inguinal canal exploration proves negative.     

Avoidance of inguinal incision in laparoscopically confirmed vanishing testis syndrome

PURPOSE: Nonpalpable testicles may be due to the vanishing testis syndrome, intra-abdominal position, examination obscured by obesity or scar tissue and rarely testicular agenesis. Laparoscopy is an excellent means of distinguishing these entities without the need for open abdominal exploration. We investigated whether laparoscopy affects the need for an inguinal incision and exploration when no testicle is palpable and the vas and vas deferens are visualized exiting the internal inguinal ring on laparoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 34 boys 6 to 18 months old (mean age 41) physical examination demonstrated a nonpalpable testicle, including on the right side in 12, on the left side in 17 and bilaterally in 5. The vanishing testis syndrome was diagnosed after laparoscopy when no testicle was palpable despite physical examination done with the patient under anesthesia, spermatic vessels were visualized exiting the internal inguinal ring or spermatic vessels were visualized in the abdomen with or without an identifiable intra-abdominal testicular nubbin. RESULTS: Laparoscopy confirmed the vanishing testis syndrome in 16 patients, intra-abdominal testicles in 13 and peeping testes in 1. Adequate examination using anesthesia was not possible in 4 patients with obesity, or previous inguinal or lower abdominal surgery. These boys underwent inguinal exploration after laparoscopy showed the vas and vessels exiting a closed internal inguinal ring. Of the 16 cases of the vanishing testis syndrome orchiectomy with contralateral scrotal orchiopexy was performed in 14 through a median raphe scrotal incision and in 1 through an inguinal incision for an associated inguinal hernia. In the remaining patient who underwent laparoscopy only a blind ending vas and vessels were visualized in the abdomen without an identifiable nubbin. The infraumbilical and median raphe incisions healed without obvious scars. Followup was at least 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: When spermatic vessels are visualized exiting the internal inguinal ring on laparoscopy in the setting of a nonpalpable testicle, a median raphe scrotal incision can be made to remove the testicular nubbin associated with the vanishing testicle syndrome. Orchiectomy is possible through this median raphe incision even when the testicle is in the inguinal canal because this distance in young children is small. Cosmesis is excellent since 1 incision is within the umbilicus and the other is on the median scrotal raphe.     

Ergebnisse der laparoskopischen Orchidopexie beim nicht palpablen Hoden

Laparoscopy is an established diagnostic procedure but is less frequently used as a therapeutic method for impalpable testes. To compare the results of the classic two-stage orchidopexy described by Fowler-Stephens with a testicular vessel-sparing single-stage approach in the management of intra-abdominal testes we retrospectively analyzed our data.From January 2005 to September 2010, 105 patients (mean age 32 months) underwent laparoscopy for impalpable testes. In cases of intra-abdominal testes, laparoscopic orchidopexy was performed either in a two-stage procedure including initial ligation of the testicular vessels or as a direct single-stage procedure without ligation of the vessels. The results of both approaches were evaluated postoperatively clinically and by ultrasonography. Among the 122 impalpable testes 63 were located intra-abdominally; single-stage orchidopexy was performed in 29 testes whereas a two-stage approach was conducted in 14 testes. Fourteen gonads had to be removed due to atrophy and in six cases no testis was found at all. In the other 59 cases inguinal exploration followed resulting in 22 orchidopexies, 34 removals and 3 blind-ending vessels. During a mean follow-up of 17 months none of the 29 testes treated by single-stage orchidopexy atrophied or reascended. By contrast, two cases of atrophy, one reascent and one subumbilical wound infection occurred after the two-stage procedure. Considering our excellent experiences with single-stage management, we conclude that the single-stage approach is a reliable, safe and efficacious treatment modality of intra-abdominal testes. However, the two-stage procedure including testicular vessel ligation should be restricted to high abdominal testes with very short vessels.     

The use of computerized tomography scanning to localize the impalpable testis

To determine the usefulness of computerized tomography scanning in the preoperative localization of the impalpable undescended testis 5 patients with 8 impalpable testes were studied. In 2 patients the scan correctly outlined 3 impalpable testes inside the internal inguinal ring, in 2 patients the scan correctly localized 4 impalpable testes at or just inside the external inguinal ring and in 1 patient the scan failed to demonstrate a testis, a finding corroborated at an operation. These results suggest that computerized tomography scanning appears to be an effective, simple and less hazardous method to localize impalpable undescended testes than other currently available techniques.     

Surgical exploration for impalpable testis: Which should be first,inguinal exploration or laparoscopic abdominal exploration?

Purpose

To discuss an optimal surgical approach for impalpable testis in children, our own treatment results and those reported in the literature were reviewed.

Impalpable testis and laparoscopy: when the gonad is not visualized.

The diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopy for impalpable testis is well recognized. However, in some cases, laparoscopic findings may be misleading, and a viable gonad may be missed with significant medico-legal implications. From January 1993 to December 2000, 202 patients with 219 impalpable testes were evaluated. In 95 cases, the gonad was immediately visualized, and in 5, the presence of a testis was documented by inserting the scope into the processus vaginalis. In the 119 remaining cases, no gonad was seen while entering the abdomen with the laparoscope. All patients with documented vas and vessels exiting the inguinal ring were surgically explored. Ten testes were found, 8 ectopic, with significant changes in shape and position, and 2 were canalicular. In the absence of hormone stimulation, no testes were found while exploring patients with cord structures coursing a closed inguinal ring and with contralateral hypertrophy. In 1 patient with absent vas and vessels, the testis was found at the lower renal pole while removing a dysplastic kidney. Despite technical refinements and an increase in clinical practice, a small percentage of viable testes may be missed with laparoscopic findings consistent with absent/vanished inguinal testis. Therefore, inguinal exploration is mandatory in all these cases.     

Is the vanished testis always a scrotal event?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if perinatal testicular torsion resulting in a vanished testis is an event that primarily occurs in the scrotum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 54 boys identified as having a solitary testis were reviewed. The side of absence, size of the solitary testis, method of surgical evaluation (scrotal, inguinal or abdominal), surgical findings and histology of the tissue removed were noted. RESULTS: The testis was absent twice as often on the left side, the solitary testis was hypertrophic in 25 of 42 boys in whom it was evaluated, and tissue grossly or histologically consistent with a testicular 'nubbin' was removed in 52 boys. Scrotal (47) or inguinal (seven) exploration was carried out in all. Laparoscopy (28) or abdominal exploration (two) was undertaken to confirm that no testicular tissue was present in the abdomen in 30 boys, including the two in whom no tissue was found on scrotal or inguinal exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal testicular torsion occurs after descent but before fixation of the tunica vaginalis to the scrotal wall. These testes atrophy, leaving a remnant of tissue in the scrotum that can be identified on scrotal exploration in almost all cases. Therefore, it is recommended that the evaluation of the child with a solitary palpable testis start with scrotal exploration. Laparoscopy should be reserved for those in whom no tissue consistent with a testicular nubbin is found in the scrotum.     

Impalpable testis: testicular vessel division in treatment.

Between 1984 and 1989, 110 boys with 130 impalpable testes were investigated and treated. One hundred and six boys underwent laparoscopy. Twenty had bilateral impalpable testes and 13 had a palpable, but maldescended, testis on the other side. Forty-nine testes were absent and one atrophic testis was found in the scrotum. Twelve orchidectomies were performed. One child had a microvascular transfer procedure. The remaining 67 testes were treated by orchidopexy: 28 single-stage and 39 two-stage procedures. One of the single-stage and 29 of the two-stage orchidopexies included division of the testicular vessels. Twenty-three testes examined 12 or more months after staged testicular vessel division revealed a good result in 15.     

Human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone for treatment of congenital undescended testis: Anatomical barriers to its success

Background/PurposeAlthough the surgical treatment was proved to be the recommended line of management for congenital undescended testis, hormonal therapy with human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone has been started long years ago and is still used in some areas with variable degrees of success. The factors responsible for treatment failure are not well explored. In this study, we aimed to highlight the anatomical abnormalities in the congenital undescended testis that might contribute to treatment failure.MethodsDuring the period from January 2014 to December 2015, 75 boys with congenital undescended testes received treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin, in pediatric surgery department, Faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University. Their age ranged between 6 months and 4 years (mean 1.6 years, median 2 years). In 70 boys, the testes were palpable and in the remaining 5 boys, the testes were impalpable. Fifty boys had unilateral and 25 had bilateral undescended testes. Seven of the palpable testes were high scrotal in position and the remaining 83 were palpated in the inguinal canal. The patients were followed up for 6 months to determine the position of the testis after the treatment and surgical intervention was done for those who did not respond to the hormonal treatment either partially or completely.ResultsOnly 7 testes showed complete descent (7%) (2 bilateral and 3 unilateral) and they were initially high scrotal in position, 8 testes showed partial descent (8%) (2 bilateral and 4 unilateral) and they were inguinal in 6 which became high scrotal and impalpable in 2 which became peeping. The remaining 85 (85%) did not respond to the hormonal treatment. Upon surgical exploration, abnormal attachment of the gubernaculum was found in 83 testes (83%), 2 testes were peeping (2%), short testicular vessels were found in 4 testes (4%), 3 testes were vanishing (3%) and a closed internal ring was found in one testis (1%).ConclusionsTreatment of congenital undescended testis with human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone had low success rates. Anatomical abnormalities in the congenital undescended testis might contribute to this treatment failure.Type of the studyClinical research paper.Level of evidencelevel III.     

Laparoscopy as an aid in diagnosis and management of the impalpable testis

Fourteen children with impalpable testes, 10 bilateral and 4 unilateral, were examined laparoscopically. Eleven testes and two primitive undifferentiated gonads were seen in the abdomen. Exploration of the inguinal canals into which the vasa and testicular vessels were seen passing from the abdomen revealed a further two testes but nine were absent. One testis had atrophied as a result of previous torsion. Inappropriate internal genitalia were seen in two boys with hypospadias. One boy in whom both testes were seen in the abdomen had undergone a previous unsuccessful surgical exploration. None of the children developed any complications from the laparoscopy and the examination failed to reveal only one abdominal testis.     

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE NONPALPABLE TESTIS: THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA EXPERIENCE

Purpose

The management of the nonpalpable testis permits an individualized operative approach. We analyze the results of surgical management of a large series of patients with a nonpalpable testis.

Materials and Methods

Between January 1986 and June 1994 we treated 1,866 boys with undescended testes. There were 447 testes (24%) that were not palpable at presentation. Intraoperative data on these patients were collected for age at presentation, bilateral testes position, testicular size, associated inguinal anomalies (vas, epididymis and processus vaginalis) and surgical approach. For intra-abdominal testes postoperative results of 2 surgical techniques, the Fowler-Stephens procedure and Koop orchiopexy (retroperitoneal mobilization of spermatic vessels and vas) were compared in 76 patients with at least 18 months of followup.

Results

Average patient age at presentation was 34 months with 63% presenting before age 48 months. Of the impalpable testes 58% were on the left side, 35% were on the right side and 7% were bilateral. At operation 181 testes (41%) were atrophic or absent, 91 (20%) were intraabdominal with 14 (3.1%) bilateral, 136 (30%) were in the inguinal canal and 39 (9%) were in other locations, including 22 at the pubic tubercle, 2 in the upper scrotum, 13 in the superficial inguinal pouch and 2 in the perineum. Of the intra-abdominal group associated extratesticular malformations were identified in 36 cases (39%). Attachment of the vas deferens to the testis was abnormal in 23 of 64 cases (36%), including 10 that were completely detached and 13 with head or tail attachment only.Of the 91 evaluable cases in the intra-abdominal group 38 (42%) had been treated with the Fowler-Stephens repair (5 in 2 stages), 33 (36%) with inguinal orchiopexy and intraperitoneal dissection without dividing the spermatic vessels, 5 with 2-stage procedures and vessel preservation and 14 (15%) with orchiectomy. One testis was left in situ. The inguinal approach with intraperitoneal extension was successful in defining the testis location or blind-ending vas and vessels in 100% of the cases. A single operation to perform orchiopexy was successful in 92% of the cases. Overall, results were considered excellent or acceptable in 32 of 33 cases (97%) after Koop orchiopexy and 28 of 38 (74%) after the Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy.

Conclusions

Nonpalpable testes accounted for 24% of the patients presenting with undescended testes. At surgical exploration 39% of impalpable testes were distal to the external inguinal ring, 41% were atrophic or absent and 20% were intra-abdominal. All cases were treated through a standard inguinal incision. These data provide evidence that the inguinal approach to orchiopexy with transperitoneal mobilization of the vas and vessels without transection is highly successful for the intra-abdominal cryptorchid testis and, to date, is the preferred technique for the management of the intra-abdominal undescended testis.     

Transinguinal Laparoscopy for Nonpalpable Testis

Background: About 20% of all undescended testes are nonpalpable. Although surgical exploration was previously the method of choice for management, laparoscopy from the inferior edge of the umbilicus has been established as a useful method of examining a testis that is nonpalpable. However, conventional subumbilical laparoscopy is unnecessary when the testis or its remnant is located below the internal inguinal ring. We evaluated the efficacy of transinguinal laparoscopy after inguinal exploration performed for nonpalpable testis.
Methods: Twelve children with 14 nonpalpable testes (2 children had bilateral nonpalpable testes) were considered for a novel method of laparoscopy. We performed laparoscopy through the internal inguinal ring after opening the inguinal canal.
Results: Inguinal exploration revealed the testis or its remnant in 5 patients, and thus prevented unnecessary laparoscopy in these individuals. Transinguinal laparoscopy identified the anatomy in 7 patients. Four of the latter were found to have blind-ending vas deferens and spermatic vessels, while in 3 patients, the testes were located in the peritoneal cavity.
Conclusion: Transinguinal laparoscopy may become the accepted method for managing nonpalpable testes, as inguinal exploration can eliminate the need for laparoscopy in some cases, and the visualization achieved with transinguinal laparoscopy is just as good as that with conventional laparoscopy.     

腹股沟可触及睾丸的隐睾的微创治疗

目的探讨腹股沟可触及睾丸的隐睾的微创治疗方法。方法2007年8月～2008年3月对60例腹股沟区可触及睾丸的隐睾,根据睾丸位置高低,采取经阴囊或腹腔镜辅助下睾丸固定手术。结果经阴囊睾丸固定术24例,睾丸位于外环口与阴囊上极之间,23例固定于阴囊底,1例固定于阴囊上极。经阴囊转腹腔镜睾丸固定术2例,均为右侧,睾丸位于外环口与阴囊上极之间,经隐囊手术睾丸下降位置不满意,转为腹腔镜手术将睾丸固定于阴囊底。经腹腔镜睾丸固定术34例,其中睾丸位于腹股沟内16例（41.1%）,位于近外环口处18例（52.9%）,合并腹股沟斜疝8例（23.5%）,均在腹腔镜下行内环口结扎,术后睾丸固定于阴囊底部。60例B超随访3～6个月,平均4.3月,无睾丸萎缩及回缩,无腹股沟斜疝的发生。结论可触及睾丸的腹股沟隐睾如果能推到阴囊上极,则可选择经阴囊切口的睾丸固定术;如果不能将睾丸推到阴囊上极或经阴囊切口不能将睾丸固定到阴囊底时,可选择腹腔镜手术。2种手术方法睾丸固定位置满意,可作为临床医师的参考手术方式之一。     

Mature teratoma arising in intraabdominal undescended testis in an infant with previous inguinal exploration: case report and review of intraabdominal testicular tumors in children

The authors report the youngest case of postoperative intraabdominal mature testicular teratoma in a 5-year-old boy after previous exploration for impalpable testis. A total of 26 cases of intraabdominal testicular tumor in children including our case were reviewed and discussed from both the English- and the Japanese-language literature. The average age was 2.5 years, and, in the 13 children younger than 1 year there were no malignant teratomas, although there was one immature teratoma. Four of these had undergone previous inguinal exploration in which 3 patients except our patient were more than 10 years old. This case report confirms the importance of finding an intraabdominal testis at operation for impalpable testis. Early detection of the testicular location near the internal inguinal ring in these patients supports the hypothesis that the intraabdominal testicular teratoma itself may have been the primary cause of the undescended testis. Furthermore, it is suspected that many of the intraabdominal testicular malignant teratomas in adults may have arisen from these mature testicular teratomas in infants. J Pediatr Surg 37:1236-1238.     

Laparoscopic Orchidopexy: The Treatment of Choice for the Impalpable Undescended Testis

Objective:

Management of the impalpable testis often represents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the radiologist and surgeon. The aim of this work is to present the superior value of laparoscopy as a single tool for the diagnosis and treatment of the impalpable testis.

Methods and Procedures:

Thirty-three patients with 43 impalpable testes are included in this study. For each patient, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) then laparoscopy were performed. Either the testis or blindending cord structures are searched for. The testis was either brought down to the scrotum or removed depending on the condition of each patient.

Results:

MRI detected 16 out of 43 impalpable testes (37.2%). Laparoscopy, on the other hand, detected 18 intra-abdominal testes, 7 inguinal and 16 blindending cord structures either above or below the internal inguinal ring. Blindending cord structures suggested a vanished testis. Orchidopexy was done for 23 cases, orchidectomy in 18 cases and laparoscopy only in 2 cases.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopy seems to offer a safe and reliable diagnostic and therapeutic option to patients with impalpable testes. Intra-abdominal dissection allows more testes to be brought down to the scrotum. The procedure is best viewed as laparoscopy-assisted, as Orchidopexy has to be done in a conventional manner.