PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - C T Baillie
AU  - G Fearns
AU  - L Kitteringham
AU  - R R Turnock
TI  - Management of the impalpable testis: the role of laparoscopy
AID  - 10.1136/adc.79.5.419
DP  - 1998 Nov 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 419--422
VI  - 79
IP  - 5
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/79/5/419.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/79/5/419.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child1998 Nov 01; 79
AB  - PURPOSE To evaluate the use of laparoscopy in the management of the impalpable testis. DESIGN A retrospective analysis of the clinical findings, interventions, and outcome in 87 consecutive boys undergoing laparoscopy for 97 impalpable testes. RESULTS Fifty seven testes were either absent (n = 35) or present as a small remnant (n = 22), which was removed at contemporaneous groin exploration. There were 27 intra-abdominal testes, including four hypoplastic testes, which were removed laparoscopically. The 13 remaining viable testes were located in the groin. Conventional orchidopexy followed laparoscopy for 21 testes, and was successful in 17 cases. Two stage laparoscopically assisted Fowler Stevens orchidopexies were performed for 13 intra-abdominal testes, with eight satisfactory results. Ultrasound evaluation significantly reduced the number of conventional orchidopexies following laparoscopy. IMPLICATIONS Laparoscopy is a rational and safe approach for precise localisation of the impalpable testis. Laparoscopically assisted two stage orchidopexy is a successful treatment procedure for intra-abdominal testes.