Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens procedure is contraindicated for intraabdominal testicular major duct anomalies.

Abstract

The laparoscopic one- and two-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure has gained large popularity in the treatment of the child with a high intraabdominal testis. It is largely debated which technique (e.g., testicular autotransplant or Fowler-Stephens procedure) offers the best results for high intraabdominal testes. We describe a case of a 3-year-old boy for whom previous bilateral inguinal exploration results were negative for testes or testicular remnants. The diagnostic laparoscopy showed two iliac intraabdominal testes with short spermatic vessels, closed inguinal rings, and complete dissociation of didime-epididime. A left open orchidopexy was perfomed, and testicular autotransplant was proposed for the right testes located 4 cm from the internal inguinal ring. Long-term follow-up evaluation (1.8 years) of the left testis showed it in the scrotum with good testicular size (1.5 cm). We believe that there are two main reasons to contraindicate the Fowler-Stephens technique: associated malformation that does not permit the development of the collateral blood flow via the vasal artery necessary for a viable testis, and previous surgery that represents a risk factor for testicular atrophy. The laparoscopic anatomic classification for the intraabdominal testis is reliable and can disclose the most suitable surgical technique. Laparoscopy is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of the nonpalpable testicle.