Diagnostic and Therapeutic Laparoscopy for Non-Palpable Testis
Zahavi Cohen, Niza Newman, Edna Kurzbart, Vadim Kapuller, Abraham J. Mares
Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Soroka Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba
From January 1994 to July 1997, 20 boys 1.5-13 years of age underwent laparoscopic examination and treatment for non-palpable testis. In 1 there was bilateral nonpalpable testis. Only 3 had intra-abdominal testes viable for orchiopexy. In 8 atrophic testicles were removed and in 9 laparoscopic examination revealed intra-abdominal blind ending of the spermatic cord and no testicular tissue.
We conclude that laparoscopy is a useful and safe technique for accurate diagnosis and may avoid additional intervention in treating non-palpable testes. Furthermore, intra-abdominal testes may be managed laparoscopically under the same anesthetic.