Laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy for recurrent undescended testes in children

Objective

Reoperative orchidopexy is a technical challenge to pediatric surgeons. The laparoscopy-assisted procedure is described for securing the testis in the scrotum in patients with a past history of open orchidopexy and testes in an unsatisfactory position.

Patients and Methods

Thirty-one patients with 35 abnormally positioned testes (4 bilateral) were evaluated. All patients had a past history of inguinal surgery, and ages ranged between 2.5 and 13 years (mean, 5.5 years). Previous surgical procedures included 32 orchiopexies and 3 testicular detorsion of undescended testis. If needed, inguinal dissection was performed to loose the adherence between the cord and inguinal canal. Laparoscopic orchidopexy was applied to allow the testis to remain in the scrotum without tension. Patients underwent follow-up every 3 months after the operation with physical and ultrasound examinations.

Results

Ten low inguinal testes were treated directly with open inguinal redo orchidopexy, whereas laparoscopy-assisted orchidopexy was possible in 23 (92%) of the remaining 25 reoperations. In 2 (8%) of these cases, severe scarring was present between the cord and the inguinal canal impeding the laparoscopy-assisted orchidopexy. For laparoscopy-assisted procedure, the operation time was 42 to 67 minutes (mean = 52 min). After the laparoscopy-assisted reoperations, 23 (92%) testes remain within the scrotum after a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 6-32 months).

Conclusion

When feasible, laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy is a simple and effective technique for securing testicles in reoperative orchiopexy procedures.