Impalpable Testis Research Articles

Role of ultrasonography in the preoperative assessment of impalpable testes: a single center experience.

Background. Abdominoscrotal sonogram is often used in boys with a nonpalpable testis to determine the presence of the testis. We describe our experience with the use of ultrasonography in boys with a nonpalpable testis. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of boys aged less than 14 years, who underwent preoperative ultrasonography for an impalpable undescended testis (IUDT) between 2006 and 2010 in our institution. The results of sonography and laparoscopy were compared. Results. A total of 26 impalpable testes in 22 patients, including 4 with bilateral impalpable testes, were preoperatively assessed by ultrasonography for their localization. Sonography localized only 6 of the 26 (23%) testes, which were laparoscopically explored and followed by orchiopexy. Conclusion. Ultrasound is not reliable in the preoperative assessment of patients with impalpable testes.

Is it necessary to close the peritoneum over the deep inguinal ring during laparoscopic orchidopexy?

BackgroundDuring laparoscopic orchidopexy, some authors routinely close the peritoneum over the area of the deep inguinal ring (DIR). We report our experience, to determine whether leaving the peritoneum over the DIR without closure is associated with an increase in the occurrence of postoperative inguinal hernia. Patients & methodsThis is a retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopy for impalpable testes in 2004–2010. The patients were divided into two groups: I) cases in whom the peritoneum over the DIR was routinely closed, and II) cases in whom the DIR was left without closure. The patients were followed up in the outpatient clinic. ResultsDuring the study period, 442 boys underwent laparoscopy for 570 impalpable testes. The testis was found to be ‘vanishing’ or ‘atrophic’ in 182 (32%). The mobilized testis passed through the anatomical DIR in 198 (51%), and through a new deep ring in 190 (49%). The DIR was closed (I) in 178 (46%) and left open (II) in 210 (54%) cases. On follow up (mean 50 months for I and 41 months for II), there were no cases of inguinal hernia. ConclusionClosing the peritoneum over the area of the DIR may not be necessary, even in cases where the testis has to be passed through a medially created new deep ring, because of a short cord.

Bilateral Impalpable Testes: A Special Entity of Cryptorchidism

Background: Cryptorchidism is one of the most common genitourinary disorders in young boys. About 1% - 2% of boys at age of 1 year have an undescended testis (UDT); this disorder is unilateral in about 90% of individuals and bilateral in about 10%. However, bilateral impalpable testes represent a special category that should be differentiated from anorchidism as well as male pseudohermaphroditism. We investigated whether bilateral impalpable testes with its inherent hormonal and genetic factors has different outcomes in terms of success of orchiopexies compared to unilateral impalpable testes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and clinical findings, as well as immediate and 6 month outcomes, in patients diagnosed with bilateral impalpable undescended testes between 2006 and 2010. Findings were reported after a minimum of 6 months from the last surgical intervention. Results: Nine patients underwent laparoscopy for bilateral impalpable testes, 7 of whom had testes in the region of the internal inguinal ring. The success rate after laparoscopic exploration and open orchiopexy was 60% while the success rate with unilateral impalpable testes was 63.3% in the same study. Conclusion: Although laparoscopy is extremely useful in both the diagnosis and treatment of patients with bilateral impalpable testes, laparoscopy should be preceded by careful cytogenetic and hormonal workup for this particular group of patients. We found that the success rates of laparoscopic management of bilateral and unilateral impalpable testes were similar, as shown by testicular size clinically sassed during serial postoperative outpatient visits.

Laparoscopic Management of Intra-Abdominal Testis: 5-Year Single-Centre Experience—A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Background. Undescended testis is one of the most common urological problems in children, affecting about 1% of boys at age of 1 year. Of these, about 20% have a nonpalpable testis with a very high probability that the testis is absent. This may have a significant impact on the possibility of malignancy in these testes, as well as on the later fertility of these subjects. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and clinical findings, as well as immediate and 6-month outcomes, in 91 patients diagnosed with impalpable undescended testes between January 2006 and December 2010. Results. Of the 91 patients, 9 had bilateral and 82 had unilateral impalpable testes. All 100 testes were managed laparoscopically. The largest group of intra-abdominal testes in this series, 42 testes, was entering the internal ring; in these, laparoscopic exploration and standard open orchiopexy resulted in a 66% success rate. The total success rate was 63.3%. Conclusion. Laparoscopy is extremely useful in both the diagnosis and treatment of impalpable testes. Objectively measured mobility of the testis towards the contralateral internal inguinal ring is an excellent intraoperative indicator for type of orchiopexy. Standardization of management may increase the success rate of orchiopexy.

Laparoscopic management of 128 undescended testes: Our experience

To describe different laparoscopic procedures in the management of impalpable undescended testes (UDT) and their outcome. Descriptive study. The medical records of all the patients, managed laparoscopically for impalpable UDT between January 2008 to March 2011 at the department of Pediatric surgery, the Children's Hospital and The Institute of Child Health Lahore, Pakistan were reviewed for demography, history and clinical examination, investigations, operative notes, complication and outcome. There were a total of 90 patients (128 testes) with impalpable UDT managed laparoscopically. The mean age of presentation was 4.25 years (SD±3.47). In 38 (42.2%) patients, UDT were bilateral, whereas in 33 (36.7%), these were right sided and in 19 (21%), these were left sided. Laparoscopic findings revealed 65 (50.8%) testes lying higher up in the abdomen, 26 (20.3%) testes at internal ring, vas and vessel going into the deep ring in 22 (17%) cases and 15 (11.7%) atrophied/vanishing testes. Laparoscopic 2-Stage Fowler-Stephen (FS) orchidopexy was performed in 65 testes, laparoscopic orchidopexy was performed in 26 testes, laparoscopy followed by inguinal exploration and orchidopexy in 19 testes (3 testes were atrophied) and orchidectomy was performed in 9 testes. There were three conversions to laparotomy, one for external iliac iatrogenic injury and two for adhesions of the testes with the intestine. During follow-up at 6 months, 2 patients had testicular atrophy and the parents of 5 patients where testes could be brought to the scrotum neck were worried for the location. Laparoscopic management of impalpable UDT is an effective way of managing every kind of impalpable UDT. It is safe and its complications are very few.

Is Laparoscopic Re-Evaluation Justified in Cryptorchidism with Previous Negative Open Exploration?

Nonpalpable testes account for 20% of cryptorchidism. Laparoscopy is now the mainstay in management, but open surgery has been the only option for many patients in the past and even today. We suspected that open exploration may have missed gonads in presumed negative open exploration. As abdominal gonads are even more prone to cancerous degeneration, we proposed laparoscopic re-evaluation to patients with previous inconclusive open exploration for impalpable testis. All boys presenting to our referral center with past history of inconclusive open exploration for nonpalpable testis or with clinical or lab evidence of functional testicular tissue were consecutively offered laparoscopic re-exploration. Standard diagnostic laparoscopy with same-stage laparoscopic orchiopexy or one stage Fowler procedure was employed as required. The presence, number, and site of detected gonads were recorded. 141 male patients with nonpalpable testis comprising 171 nonpalpable gonads were laparoscopically explored with no adverse events. Sixteen patients (19 gonads) already had a negative open exploration. Seven gonads were discovered in these boys, 5 iliac and 2 retrovesical. Although a modest number of samples, our results underscore the prevalence of missed diagnosis. Obviously, laparoscopic re-exploration is indicated when a child with previous bilateral inguinal exploration presents with hormonal evidence of functioning gonadal tissue. Further we now recommend laparoscopic re-evaluation in most patients with nonpalpable testis and history of negative open exploration altogether.

Role of color Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of nonpalpable testes

Purpose Color Doppler ultrasound has been used for the diagnosis of torsion of testes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of this noninvasive tool in detecting impalpable testes. Patients and methods Twenty-five children with nonpalpable testes were treated at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Institute of Medical Science, Banaras, between 2007 and 2009. Color Doppler ultrasound was used for detecting the position, size, and vascularity of nonpalpable testes. These patients were subsequently revaluated by laparoscopy. Results Out of 25 cases, 15 cases were unilateral and 10 cases were bilateral (a total of 35 nonpalpable testes). The color Doppler ultrasound study successfully localized 30 of the 35 nonpalpable testes, which were confirmed by subsequent laparoscopic examination. The sensitivity of color Doppler in locating testes was 85.71% (95% confidence interval = 0.64–0.97). Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasound is an effective noninvasive method for the initial diagnosis of impalpable testes and for planning its subsequent management. Keywords: color Doppler ultrasound, laparoscopy, nonpalpable testes

Initial Success with Gubernacular-Sparing Laparoscopic-Assisted Fowler-Stephens Orchidopexy for Intra-abdominal Testes

A single surgeon's 5-year experience of preserving the gubernaculum in laparoscopic-assisted Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy is reported. Thirty-six cases of impalpable testes are considered. Sixteen patients were confirmed as having intra-abdominal testes, with 20 testes considered to be absent/vanished. At follow-up, all testes had a similar volume to the contralateral testis except for one that had been considered hypoplastic at the initial operation. Mean follow-up was 612 days. The method and potential importance of gubernacular preservation in this situation are discussed.

Laparoscopic management of impalpable testes: comparison of different techniques

Laparoscopy is an important modality for management of impalpable testes. We present long-term outcomes of intra-abdominal testes managed by either single stage orchidopexy or two-stage Fowler Stephen's orchidopexy (FSO) over 12years. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed on patients who underwent laparoscopy for impalpable testes between 1998 and 2010. Demographic data, intra-operative findings, management, histology and follow-up findings were collected and analyzed. Fisher's Exact test was used for statistical analysis. Laparoscopy was performed for 168 impalpable testes (78 left, 58 right and 16 bilateral). Patients were between 8months and 15years of age (median 1year 10months). Ninety-three testes were found to have cord structures entering the inguinal ring (canalicular), 65 were intra-abdominal and 10 had blind ending vas and/or vessel. Fifty-seven (34%) testes were atrophic and underwent orchidectomy; 100 (60%) testes underwent orchidopexy: either two-stage FSO (48) or single stage orchidopexy (52) and 10 (7%) had findings consistent with 'vanishing testes'. Histopathologically, the excised remnants (34%) showed no viable testicular tissue. The follow-up was a median of 8months (3months to 6years). Four patients were lost to follow-up (two each after FSO and single stage orchidopexy) while, two FSO are awaiting follow-up. At follow-up, 36/44 testes (FSO) and 13/13 testes (single stage orchidopexy) are in the scrotum and of good size. Eight testes had atrophied after two-staged FSO. Canalicular testes are often difficult to palpate (55%). Laparoscopy allows direct visualization and definitive management. There is no statistically significant difference between the results following single stage orchidopexy or two-stage FSO for impalpable testes.

Management of the Looping Vas Deferens During Laparoscopic Orchiopexy

A number of variables should be assessed during laparoscopic orchiopexy, including vas anatomy. A looping vas deferens enters the inguinal canal and loops back to the abdominal cavity. This anatomical variant is not uncommonly encountered. Some groups considered this condition in their laparoscopic classification of nonpalpable testis. We present our experience with managing the looping vas during laparoscopic orchiopexy. We identified this condition in 18 procedures. In 14 cases it was possible to bring the vas back to the abdominal cavity. In 3 cases the loop could not be brought back laparoscopically and an inguinal incision was used. After the vas was dissected free and dropped into the abdominal cavity pneumoperitoneum was resumed and the procedure was completed laparoscopically. A Web based survey was done to test the value of this method. A total of 17 procedures were completed successfully with preservation of the vas deferens while in 1 the vas was inadvertently cut. A looping vas did not significantly affect operative time. All 18 testes were viable and retained the scrotal position on followup scrotal Doppler ultrasound. Verification of vasal anatomy is a crucial step that should be completed before any dissection. Bringing a looping vas back to the abdominal cavity is usually feasible laparoscopically but in a few cases this may require a small incision to dissect the vasal loop from its inguinal attachments.

Ergebnisse der laparoskopischen Orchidopexie beim nicht palpablen Hoden

Laparoscopy is an established diagnostic procedure but is less frequently used as a therapeutic method for impalpable testes. To compare the results of the classic two-stage orchidopexy described by Fowler-Stephens with a testicular vessel-sparing single-stage approach in the management of intra-abdominal testes we retrospectively analyzed our data.From January 2005 to September 2010, 105 patients (mean age 32 months) underwent laparoscopy for impalpable testes. In cases of intra-abdominal testes, laparoscopic orchidopexy was performed either in a two-stage procedure including initial ligation of the testicular vessels or as a direct single-stage procedure without ligation of the vessels. The results of both approaches were evaluated postoperatively clinically and by ultrasonography. Among the 122 impalpable testes 63 were located intra-abdominally; single-stage orchidopexy was performed in 29 testes whereas a two-stage approach was conducted in 14 testes. Fourteen gonads had to be removed due to atrophy and in six cases no testis was found at all. In the other 59 cases inguinal exploration followed resulting in 22 orchidopexies, 34 removals and 3 blind-ending vessels. During a mean follow-up of 17 months none of the 29 testes treated by single-stage orchidopexy atrophied or reascended. By contrast, two cases of atrophy, one reascent and one subumbilical wound infection occurred after the two-stage procedure. Considering our excellent experiences with single-stage management, we conclude that the single-stage approach is a reliable, safe and efficacious treatment modality of intra-abdominal testes. However, the two-stage procedure including testicular vessel ligation should be restricted to high abdominal testes with very short vessels.

559 LAPAROSCOPIC ORCHIECTOMY FOR TESTICULAR NUBBIN IN IMPALPABLE TESTIS

You have accessJournal of UrologyPediatrics: Congenital Anomalies - Lower Urinary Tract & Genitalia1 Apr 2011559 LAPAROSCOPIC ORCHIECTOMY FOR TESTICULAR NUBBIN IN IMPALPABLE TESTIS Yasuyuki Naito, Akihiro Kawauchi, Kazumi Kamoi, Jintetsu Soh, and Tsuneharu Miki Yasuyuki NaitoYasuyuki Naito Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author , Akihiro KawauchiAkihiro Kawauchi Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author , Kazumi KamoiKazumi Kamoi Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author , Jintetsu SohJintetsu Soh Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author , and Tsuneharu MikiTsuneharu Miki Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.1284AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Recently many cases of laparoscopic treatments for impalpable testes have been reported. Generally, laparoscopy is performed first, followed by laparoscopic orchiopexy in cases of intra-abdominal testes. If the testis is not observed intra-abdominally, it is a common practice to explore the inguinal canal to remove the nubbin. From 1996, we have used a different technique to detach the inguinal canal intra-abdominally and to remove the nubbin without incision in the groin or scrotum. We present herein the outcomes of pure laparoscopic orchiectomy for testicular nubbin in impalpable testis. METHODS Laparoscopic orchiectomy were performed for 35 cases in our department from 1996 to 2010. At first laporoscopy from the umbilical port (5mm) were performed for impalpable testis. For the cases with vas deferens and spermatic artery and vein entering into the internal inguinal ring, the inguinal canal was detached intra-abdominally without incision in the groin to remove the nubbin followed by closing internal ring and the peritoneum. We used additional two ports (5 and 3mm) for laporoscopic orchiectomy. RESULTS The operation time of the laparoscopic orchiectomy procedure (including laparoscopic observation) in 35 cases ranged from 45 to 105 minutes (median: 65 minutes). We were able to close internal ring and the peritoneum completely by 5-0 absorbable suture. The average of hospital stay was 1.5 days. There were no complications in any cases of orchiectomy. All patients showed no inguinal hernia after operation. The latest case, we performed laparoendoscopic single site surgery (the umbilical single port) for the same condition. The operation time was 75minutes. CONCLUSIONS It seems to be feasible to diagnose and remove the testicular nubbin in the inguinal canal laparoscopically without incision in the groin or scrotum. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e226 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Yasuyuki Naito Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author Akihiro Kawauchi Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author Kazumi Kamoi Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author Jintetsu Soh Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author Tsuneharu Miki Kyoto, Japan More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Early pontocerebellar hypoplasia with vanishing testes: A new syndrome?

We report on a full-term male infant with hypoplastic male genitalia and bilateral impalpable testes noted at birth, who over the following months developed increasing hypotonia, apneic episodes, and seizures resulting in his death at age 24 weeks. During this period regression of penile corporeal tissue was observed. An endocrinological diagnosis of primary hypogonadism was made and cerebral imaging at 19 weeks showed reduced periventricular white matter with marked pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH)/atrophy, but a well-developed posterior fossa. We propose that this condition constitutes a new form of severe PCH/atrophy with testicular regression that has onset in the fetal period.

Laparoscopic or Laparoscopic-Assisted Pelvic Surgery in Small Infants: Our Experience

The objective of this study was to review our experience of laparoscopic (LA) or laparoscopic-assisted pelvic surgery (LAPS) in small infants. The medical records of 35 patients who underwent an LA or LAPS between January 2007 and June 2010 were studied and 21 patients who were younger than 1 year or whose weight was less than 10 kg were included. Indications, procedures, results, and complications were analyzed. The indications of surgery and procedures done were impalpable undescended testes (7 cases--3 single-stage orchidopexy and 4 Fowler Stephen stage I ligation of testicular vessels), Hirschsprung's disease (HD; 5 cases--all laparoscopic-assisted transanal pull-through), anorectal malformation (ARM; 3 cases--all laparoscopic-assisted pull-through), disorders of sexual differentiation (3 cases--1 herniotomy and 2 gonadal biopsy), sacrococcygeal teratoma (1 case--laparoscopic mobilization of pelvic component and posterior sagittal excision), and ovarian mass (2 cases; laparoscopic oophorectomy). There were 14 males, 4 females, and 3 of indeterminate sex. All procedures could be successfully completed without conversion. There was no anesthesia-related complication or need for postoperative ventilatory support. There were no immediate procedure-related complications. One female child with ARM had rectal mucosal prolapse; 1 HD case had rectovaginal fistula that healed following fecal diversion. The major advantages of laparoscopy in different indications were magnified access into the depth of pelvis and early frozen section biopsies in HD, accurate placement of neoanus in the center of muscle complex in ARM, early ligation of vessels and avoidance of laparotomy in sacrococcygeal teratoma, ease of decision making and better mobilization of vessels in undescended testes, and diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic procedure in ambiguous genitalia. Laparoscopic pelvic surgery in small infants is a safe procedure with advantage of magnification, access, and cosmesis.

The testicular regression syndrome—do remnants require routine excision?

Aim Excision of testicular remnants is debatable in the scenario where hypoplastic vas and vessels can be seen entering a closed internal ring during laparoscopy for impalpable testes. We aimed to establish how frequently excised remnants have identifiable testicular tissue and, hence, malignant potential. Methods This study is a retrospective review of all excised testicular remnants in children with impalpable testis. Specimens that were excised for indications other than testicular regression syndrome were excluded. Pathology reports of excised specimens were reviewed, and the presence of multiple histologic features was noted. Histologic confirmation of testicular/paratesticular tissue required the presence of 1 or more of the following: seminiferous tubules, germ cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, vas deferens, or epididymal structures. Malignancy potential was defined by the presence of germ cells or seminiferous tubules. All patients with seminiferous tubules were further examined by a single histopathologist. Results A total of 208 testicular remnants from 206 children were excised over the 11-year period (1999-2009). Histologic evidence confirmed excision of testicular/paratesticular tissue in 180 cases (87%). Seminiferous tubules were noted in 27 (15%), and germ cells were present in 19 (11%) cases. Conclusion Viable germ cells were found in 11% of examined remnants, which, in our opinion, justifies their removal.

Diagnostic Laparoscopy for the Management of Impalpable Testes

PurposeControversy exists regarding the best approach to impalpable testes. We determined the usefulness of diagnostic laparoscopy for the management of impalpable testes.Materials and MethodsBetween 2000 and 2008, 86 patients with a mean age of 34 months underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. An inguinal canal exploration was performed in all cases, except in patients in whom the internal spermatic vessels terminated intraperitoneally with a blind end.ResultsThe undescended testis was right-sided in 24 patients (27.9%), left-sided in 47 patients (54.7%), and bilateral in 15 patients (17.4%). Three patients (3.5%) had bilateral impalpable testes. The vas and vessels traversed the internal ring in 51 of 89 impalpable testes (57.3%); 20 (22.5%) were localized intraperitoneally, and 18 (20.2%) were diagnosed as vanishing testes. Open orchiopexies were performed on 24 testes (27.0%) and orchiectomies were performed on 43 nubbin testes (48.3%). After a mean follow-up period of 30 months, 12 of the 14 testes (85.7%) were viable following open conventional orchiopexy, compared with 6 of the 10 testes (60%) following a 1-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy.ConclusionsDiagnostic laparoscopy is a very helpful and minimally invasive technique in the diagnosis of impalpable testes, especially when preoperative ultrasonography is not sufficiently informative.

Initial experience in children using conventional laparoscopic instruments in single-incision laparoscopic surgery

Background Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been successfully performed in children using 5-mm reticulating instruments. There are, however, few reports investigating the use of conventional instruments in SILS in the pediatric population. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive children who underwent SILS from October 2009 to January 2010, with the procedure being solely performed by conventional 3- and 5-mm instruments through a standard access technique. Results A total of 19 SILS procedures were successfully performed in children aged 3 to 15 years. They included appendectomy (n = 10), nephrectomy (n = 1), combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy (n = 2), cholecystectomy (n = 1), high ligation for varicocele (n = 2), excision of Meckel diverticulum (n = 1), and staged orchidopexy and exploration for impalpable testis (n = 2). There was one conversion to conventional laparoscopic surgery, and that occurred in our first case of splenectomy. All the patients had smooth recovery from surgery without complications. Conclusions Using conventional instruments in SILS is technically feasible in children from simple to complex procedures and may have the potential to popularize this approach by eliminating the mandatory demand for specially designed instruments.

Bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism with large left testicular seminoma and failed right urogenital union

This is a case report of a 32-year-old male with bilateral intra-abdominal cryptorchidism. A large seminoma had developed on the left testis with paraaortic lymph nodes metastasis. The tumour was excised easily. The right testis was found just inside the deep inguinal ring, without the vas deferens in the spermatic cord. The patient requested orchidopexy despite the well-explained risk of cancer development. Therefore, a second right groin incision was performed. In the right inguinal canal, there was a normal-looking vas deferens that ended in an atrophic nubbin of fibrous tissue without an epididymis. This is the sixth case in the literature of failed urogenital union resulting in complete separation of testis and vas deferens. The patient underwent orchidopexy and had four cycles of chemotherapy, which led to complete remission of the metastasis. This case highlights the fact that an impalpable undescended testis and finding of blind-end vas deferentia are not enough to establish the diagnosis of vanished testis. The decision to undergo orchiectomy in cases of bilateral cryptorchidism after puberty is also discussed. In our opinion, the choice should be made by the patient after a discussion of the risk for cancer development in the salvaged testis.

Intra-Abdominal Testis: Histological Alterations and Significance of Biopsy

Intra-abdominal testes represent only 5% of undescended testes. Review of the literature reveals that few data exist on the histological analysis of intra-abdominal testes. We studied histological alterations in intra-abdominal testes in relation to patient age at orchiopexy. A total of 57 boys underwent laparoscopy for impalpable undescended testes between October 2002 and June 2005. Testicular biopsies were taken from intra-abdominal testes, fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde, embedded in Epon, sectioned at 1 micron thickness and stained with toluidine blue. Histomorphometric analysis was performed by light microscopy. Effect of age at operation on histological evaluation of abdominal testes was also studied. Testicular biopsies from 29 patients with intra-abdominal testes showed the histological alterations of decreased mean diameter of seminiferous tubules, germinal cell depletion (55%) and presence of microliths (6.9%). As age at orchiopexy increases, deviation from the norm is more evident and absence of germ cells on biopsy becomes more pronounced, reaching a rate of 93% after age 3 years. Further studies on orchiopexy with or without biopsy in the first few months of life would likely improve our understanding and treatment of cryptorchidism.

Laparoscopic Orchiopexy Without Division of the Spermatic Vessels for Low Intra-abdominal Testis

Abstract Introduction: This video illustrates the technique of laparoscopic orchiopexy (LO) for low intraperitoneal impalpable testis. Patients and Methods: In all 86 patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) (mean age 5 years, range 1–12) for clinically impalpable undescended testes during the study period (2004–2008). Diagnostic laparoscopy is then performed. A 5-mm trocar is inserted under direct vision using open trocar (Hasson) technique. Division of gubernacular attachment at the ring was done firstly helped by gentle traction on the testis. Dissection of the peritoneum begins medially over the bladder and then down the pelvic wall along the spermatic vessels. Delivery of the Testis: Using (Printess) technique or medialization of the spermatic vessels, a new internal ring is created medial to the obliterated umbilical artery and between it and the bladder.6 We used little finger to dilate the tract and to guide delivery of the testis with the artery forceps. This simple maneuver greatly helped ...