Laparoscopic evaluation and management of nonpalpable testis in children

We evaluated the outcome of children with nonpalpable testis managed and treated laparoscopically in our department over a 6-year period. One hundred nine buys aged 12 months to 14 years were included in the study; most were between the ages of 12 months and 18 months. Diagnostic laparoscopy and eventual orchiectomy were performed in 50 patients (45.8%) with atrophic testicles. A normal sized intraabdominal testicle was found in 59 patients (54.1%). Seven of the intra-abdominal testicles were bilateral (6.4%), and 12 were located in the vicinity of the inguinal ring (11%). All patients underwent both the first and second stages of the Fowler-Stephens procedure, except for those whose testicles were located in the vicinity of the internal inguinal ring. They underwent an immediate one-stage laparoscopic-assisted orchiopexy without difficulty. Only two patients had atrophic testicles observed in the scrotal area after the complete Fowler-Stephens procedure (3.4%). The good results reported in most series establish the laparoscopic management of the nonpalpable testis as "state of the art," with results superior to those obtained with the open technique regarding morbidity, complication rate, and length of hospital stay.