Role of Laparoscopy in Management of Nonpalpable Undescended Testis in Children

Abstract

Abstract Background Normal testicular descent relies on a complex interplay of numerous factors. Any deviation from the normal process can result in an undescended testis (UDT). UDT is a common abnormality that carries fertility and malignancy implications. Aim of the Work The aim of this study is Evaluation of the role of laparoscopy in diagnosis and management of clinically impalpable testis. Patients and Methods Nineteen male patients were included in this study with twenty two non-palpable testes. All these patients were subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy & the subsequent decision was then based on the laparoscopic finding. There was no age limit for the procedure. The procedure was carried in Ain Shams University teaching hospital and El-mataria teaching hospital. Results The study included nineteen patients with twenty two non-palpable testes. Age at presentation was averaging 18.5 ± 12.5 months. Our study may present convincing evidence that laparoscopy has significant advantage over imaging procedures. Preoperative imaging proved inaccurate in determining testicular position in 10 of the 22 testes (45.5%) this is in agreement with many studies which reported that ultrasonography helped to identify only 45% of non palpable testis. Conclusion This study tried to assess roughly the effectiveness of laparoscopy as a diagnostic tool and treatment of non-palpable undescended testis. This study dealt with a very small number of patients and this issue still needs more researches to study all the benefits and disadvantage and shall need further study on a wide range of patients.