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.