English

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The goal of management of a non-palpable testis is to identify whether a viable testis is present and, if so, either perform an orchiopexy or, in selected cases, an orchiectomy. Management of palpable undescended testis is quite straightforward and diagnostic studies are usually not necessary. However, management of non-palpable testes is more complex. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a prospective hospital based study conducted in the department of surgery, Chirayu Medical College, Bhopal during the period of January 2012 to June 2014. 30 patients were selected in the study. Surgical management was not done before 6 months of age. Open orchiopexy was performed in palpable group. For impalpable group, diagnostic laparoscopy was done and managed accordingly. RESULTS: Forty undescended testes were operated upon, of which twelve (40%) were situated in the inguinal canal, twelve (40%) external ring and three (10%) each at the level of internal ring and intra-abdominal respectively. 6 patients (aged five to nine years) with canalicular testes had macroscopically atrophic testes, as did three (aged four to twelve years) with abdominal testes and one (two years) with the testes at the level of the internal ring. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a safe and effective method for the diagnosis of non-palpable and undescended testis. Microvascular orchiopexy is a feasible technique even in small children with good results.