Open Internal Ring Research Articles

Initial laparoscopy and optimized approach for unilateral nonpalpable testis: review of 8-year single-center experience

We evaluated the role of initial laparoscopy and optimized approach in cases of unilateral nonpalpable testis. Seventy-four patients with nonpalpable testes were presented. We excluded 9 patients, with palpable testes under anesthesia. Laparoscopy was offered to 65 patients. Contralateral testis hypertrophy with length ≥ 1.8cm was confirmed in 47 patients. Ultrasound results were available for 35 patients. Age ranged from 1 to 10years. Of 65 nonpalpable testes, right side comprised 23 (35.4%) and the left 42 (64.6%). Laparoscopy revealed intra-abdominal testis in 18 patients (27.7%), blind-ending vessels and vas in 8 (12.3%), and vas and vessels traversing the internal ring in 39 (60%). Treatment of intra-abdominal testes included Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy in 7 patients, laparoscopic orchiopexy in 9, and laparoscopic orchiectomy in 2. In 8 patients with blind-ending vas and vessels, laparoscopy was terminated. In 39 patients with vas and vessels traversing the internal ring, scrotal exploration was performed in 36 patients with closed internal ring and inguinal exploration in 3 with open internal ring. Vanished testes were present in 43/47(91.5%) of patients with contralateral testis hypertrophy ≥ 1.8cm. Ultrasound detected the presence of a testis in only 4/11 (36.3%) of patients, although it could not identify vanished testis. Initial laparoscopy should be retained as one of the standard treatment for nonpalpable testis. It was the only required modality in 26 patients (40%) and optimized further treatment in 39 patients (60%) by evaluation of the condition of the internal ring.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by modified peritoneal leaflet closure: Description and initial results in children

Inguinal hernias are common in infants and children. While the gold standard for hernia repair in the pediatric period has been via an open inguinal incision with dissection and high ligation of the hernia sac, over the past two decades laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has increased in popularity. The advantages of laparoscopy include decreased post-operative pain, improved cosmetic results, ability to easily assess the contralateral side for an open internal inguinal ring, and decreased risk of metachronous hernias. Herein, we describe a modified laparoscopic herniorrhaphy using a peritoneal leaflet closure and report our operative experience with intermediate-term results. We retrospectively reviewed our IRB-approved registry for all children who underwent initial laparoscopic herniorrhaphy at our tertiary care center over a 2.5-year period. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using a technique we have termed the peritoneal leaflet closure. This technique involves incising the peritoneum circumferentially around the open internal ring and developing peritoneal leaflets which are then closed together over the ring with a running non-absorbable barbed stitch (Figure). Intraoperative findings and complications, operative times, and post-operative complications were reviewed for all children. A total of 50 initial laparoscopic hernia repairs (4 bilateral, 42 unilateral) were performed in 46 children (43 boys, 3 girls) at a median age of 5.9 years (range 0.5-16.7). Median operative time was 73min (range 48-138) for unilateral and 106min (range 104-135) for bilateral herniorrhaphy. No patient had an intraoperative complication. Two children (4%) had contralateral open rings discovered at time of surgery and underwent unplanned bilateral laparoscopic hernia repair. All patients went home on the same day as the procedure and three children (6%) had minor post-operative complaints (umbilical bulge, thigh pain, and urine holding) that all self-resolved. Thirty-nine children had follow-up data available. Intermediate-term complications occurred in two children (5%): one boy developed a contralateral hydrocele (despite a closed ring at surgery) and one boy had a hernia recurrence that required open repair. Overall, operative success with the modified peritoneal leaflet closure technique was therefore 97% (38 of 39 children with follow-up). All 37 boys who followed up had bilateral descended testes of normal size and consistency. Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy using a peritoneal leaflet closure technique is safe and effective when used in infants and children to close an indirect hernia (i.e. patent processus vaginalis). No intraoperative complications occurred in this cohort and success rate was 97%.

Blind ending vessels on diagnostic laparoscopy for nonpalpable testis: Is a nubbin present?

The traditional management paradigm for nonpalpable testis (NPT) has been that inguinal or scrotal exploration for a nubbin may be omitted when blind ending vessels are observed during diagnostic laparoscopy. Our aim was to examine whether blind ending vessels excluded the presence of a nubbin in a series of boys who underwent exploration in this setting. Using a surgical database and chart review, pre-pubertal boys (≤12 years) with the diagnosis of undescended or atrophic testis who underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy for unilateral NPT between 2000 and 2015 were retrospectively identified. Physical exam, procedural and pathologic findings were confirmed by chart review. 595 boys underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for NPT by 11 surgeons. Of these, 318 had an intra-abdominal testis and 18 underwent diagnostic laparoscopy alone. Of the remaining 259, 32 had an open internal ring and inguinal or scrotal exploration was performed. The remaining 227 with a closed ring comprised the cohort for our analysis, of whom 188 had vessels entering the ring, 36 had blind ending vessels, and in three the vessel status was unavailable. In the 188 boys with vessels entering the ring, 164 (87%) had a nubbin excised during inguinal or scrotal exploration, of which 93% were grossly identified as an atrophic testis. Pathology confirmed the presence of hemosiderin in 44% and calcifications in 54%. In the 36 boys with blind ending vessels, 26 (72%) had a nubbin excised during inguinal or scrotal exploration, of which 96% were grossly identified as an atrophic testis. Pathology confirmed hemosiderin in 54% and calcifications in 58%. All seven cases with both blind ending vas and vessels had an atrophic testis grossly identified. Of all 207 excised remnants in this series, nubbins with viable testicular elements (seminiferous tubules in 11, germ cells in two) were only excised during cases that reported a non-atretic vas or any vessels entering the internal ring. In this large multi-institutional series, blind ending vessels were associated with a nubbin noted during inguinal or scrotal exploration in the majority of cases. Based on this series if the surgeon's goal is to remove all nubbins, exploration is necessary regardless of vessel appearance. However, viable testicular elements were rarely identified and only when either a non-atretic vas or any vessels were observed to enter the ring.

Incidence and concurrent laparoscopic repair of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and patent processus vaginalis.

Incidence and concurrent laparoscopic repair of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and patent processus vaginalis.

The value of finding a closed internal ring on laparoscopy in unilateral nonpalpable testis

PurposeThere is an ongoing debate about whether initial laparoscopy is as efficient as initial extra-abdominal exploration for unilateral nonpalpable testis. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the finding of a closed internal ring on laparoscopy accurately predicts extra-abdominal findings in unilateral nonpalpable testis. MethodsBoth laparoscopy and subsequent extra-abdominal exploration were prospectively performed in consecutive patients with unilateral nonpalpable testis. Laparoscopic findings were reviewed with respect to the status of the vas deferens, spermatic vessels, and the appearance of the internal ring. Except for patients with an abdominal testis, all patients underwent subsequent open exploration regardless of the laparoscopic findings. Open explorations were primarily performed by scrotal incision. During open exploration, any testicular remnants were removed and evaluated histologically. ResultsA total of 100 patients with unilateral nonpalpable testis were evaluated, of whom 15 had an abdominal testis. Of the 85 patients without an abdominal testis, an open internal ring was recognized in only 8. Of the remaining 77 with a closed internal ring, subsequent open exploration revealed testicular nubbins in all patients (100%), regardless of the laparoscopic findings of the vessels and vas. Nine nubbins were associated with intra-abdominal vanishing vessels above the closed internal ring. All nubbins were confirmed by histological findings, and the incidence of viable germ cell elements was 7.4%. ConclusionsWhen laparoscopy demonstrates no abdominal testis in patients with unilateral nonpalpable testis, the finding of a closed internal ring on laparoscopy is always associated with the presence of an extra-abdominal nubbin, regardless of the status of the vessels and the vas at the internal ring. Subsequent extra-abdominal exploration can be obviated in this circumstance if nubbin excisions are skipped. Initial diagnostic laparoscopy for unilateral nonpalpable testis provides not only the intra-abdominal findings, but also exact prediction of the extra-abdominal findings in patients with a closed internal ring.

Orchiopexy for Intra-Abdominal Testes: Factors Predicting Success

Intra-abdominal testes can be treated with several surgical procedures. We evaluated factors influencing the outcome of orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testis. We retrospectively reviewed 156 consecutive orchiopexies performed for intra-abdominal testis, defined as a nonpalpable testis on examination and located in the abdomen at surgery. All surgical approaches were included in the study. Primary outcome was the overall success rate and secondary outcomes were success based on surgical approach, age and a patent processus vaginalis. Success was considered a testis with normal texture and size compared to the contralateral testis at followup. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors predictive of success. The overall success rate of all orchiopexies was 79.5%. Median patient age at orchiopexy was 12 months and mean followup was 16 months. Of the patients 117 had a patent processus vaginalis at surgery. One-stage abdominal orchiopexy was performed in 92 testes with 89.1% success. Of these cases 32 were performed laparoscopically with 96.9% success. One-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was performed in 27 testes and 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy was performed in 37 with success in 63.0% and 67.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that 1-stage orchiopexy without vessel division had more successful outcomes than 1 and 2-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy (OR 0.24, p = 0.007 and 0.29, p = 0.19, respectively). Neither age at surgery nor an open internal ring was significant (p = 0.49 and 0.12, respectively). The overall success of orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testis is 79.5%. While patient selection remains a critical factor, 1-stage orchiopexy without vessel division was significantly more successful and a laparoscopic approach was associated with the fewest failures for intra-abdominal testes.

Collateral Circulation after Spermatic Vessel Ligation for Abdominal Testis And Its Impact on Staged Laparoscopically Assisted Orchiopexy

Staged laparoscopically assisted orchiopexy for abdominal testis entails initial spermatic vessels ligation followed by mobilization of the testis, preserving the vas and its vessels as a sole source of testicular blood supply. This mobilization includes all peritoneal attachments of the testis, including the gubernaculum, which may carry collateral circulation to the testis. This study considers the anatomy of the gubernaculum and the collateral circulation after spermatic vessels ligation and its possible effects on the viability of the testis. The anatomy of the gubernaculum and the effect of spermatic vessels ligation on the collateral circulation were studied in 90 boys with 100 abdominal testes with a short pedicle. Patients with vanishing testis or those not needing ligation of the spermatic vessels were excluded from the study. The anatomy and the vascularity of the testis, gubernaculum, and vas were studied at initial laparoscopy and 6 weeks later after spermatic vessel ligation. Based on these findings, the technique for laparoscopically assisted orchiopexy were modified, preserving the gubernaculum whenever possible in cases having prominent collaterals. Based on the attachment and blood vessel configuration of the gubernaculum, the patients were divided into two groups: in group 1 (open internal ring), there were 46 testes in which the gubernaculum passed through an open internal ring having an inguinal attachment. In group 2 (closed internal ring), there were 54 testes with a soft gubernaculum attached to a closed internal ring without inguinal attachment. In group 1 the gubernaculum was short and tough in 32 of 46 testes, with no visible blood vessels in all cases. In group 2 the gubernaculum was long and soft in 43 of 54 testes and showing evident blood supply before clipping of the spermatic vessels in 30 testes. Subsequent laparoscopy done after 6 weeks showed prominent collateral circulation around the gubernaculum in 26 testes and around the vas in 20 testes in the group 1 patients, and around the vas in 20 and the gubernaculum in 34 testes in group 2. Preservation of the gubernaculum was possible in 43/54 (80%) of group 2 patients and in 14/46 (30%) of group 1 patients. Routine cutting of the gubernaculum is not necessary for proper mobilization of the abdominal testis: collateral circulation varies from patient to patient, and once the gubernaculum shows prominent blood supply, its preservation is mandatory. The decision to cut the gubernaculum should be taken while the performing initial spermatic vessel ligation and not during the second stage to avoid compromise of the settled collateral circulation.

Large Inguinal Hernia in Infants: Is Laparoscopic Repair The Answer?

Infants with large hernias present a challenge to the pediatric surgeon. We present our experience of laparoscopic repair of large hernias in 16 infants, the youngest aged 40 days. Fifteen of the infants were younger than 18 months and one was < or = 2 years old. Sixteen male infants with large inguinal hernias (hernia extending to the bottom of the scrotum and the diameter of the open internal ring > 2 cm on laparoscopy) underwent laparoscopic hernia repair. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed under general anesthesia with a telescopic port at the umbilicus. If the internal ring was open, two working ports were introduced pararectally on either side. An open internal ring was considered an indication for hernia repair. The needle, carrying 3-0 nylon nonabsorbable sutures, was introduced through the groin skin at the internal inguinal ring and the internal ring was closed by taking continuous sutures to approximate the edges of the ring. The needle was then taken out through the entry point and the knot was tied extracorporeally and buried in the subcutaneous tissue. In 4 patients in the initial part of the study, intracorporeal (knot tied internally) suturing was done to close the internal ring. A contralateral repair was done if the internal ring was open. A total of 18 repairs were performed in 16 patients: 10 had a right sided hernia, 4 had a left sided hernia, and 2 had an open contralateral ring (suggestive of contralateral patent processus vaginalis). The contents of the hernia were bowel (1 patient), omentum (3 patients), and bowel adhesions at the internal ring (1 patient). There was 1 conversion. The mean operative time was 23 minutes for unilateral repair and 29 minutes for bilateral repair. The mean follow-up was 19 months (range, 3 months to 3 years). There are no recurrences to date. There was no morbidity or mortality. Laparoscopy is safe and feasible for repair of large inguinal hernias in infants 2 years and provides treatment of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in the same setting with no significant increase in operating time. Extracorporeal knot tying has made the procedure feasible in the limited working space available in these babies. Though there were no recurrences or post-operative hydrocele, the number of patients in the study is too small to comment on rates of recurrence or hydrocele.

Incidental Inguinal Hernias on Laparoscopy

Laparoscopic examination of the contralateral inguinal ring has been advocated to exclude contralateral hernia in young children. We used the size of the open internal ring and the depth of the patent processus vaginalis as a parameter to decide whether laparoscopic herniotomy was indicated. Records of all laparoscopic procedures in children performed in a large tertiary care hospital over a 2.5-year period were retrospectively analysed. Laparoscopy in 346 children revealed the presence of an incidental asymptomatic patent processus vaginalis in 47 cases. Of these, 38 were present as a contralateral hernia among 171 laparoscopies for inguinal hernias. The presence of an incidentally detected, asymptomatic but significant-sized open internal ring is not uncommon. The authors recommend that a 1-cm diameter and a 2-cm depth of open internal ring be taken as a significant indication for herniotomy. The authors also emphasize that a reported incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis of up to 56.2% justifies the procedure of laparoscopic herniotomy in all children.

RISK OF CONTRALATERAL HYDROCELE OR HERNIA AFTER UNILATERAL HYDROCELE REPAIR IN CHILDREN

Purpose Recent laparoscopic studies indicate a high incidence of a contralateral open internal ring in children undergoing unilateral hydrocele or hernia repair, raising the question of whether routine contralateral exploration should be done. Data on the long-term risk of clinical contralateral hernia or hydrocele after unilateral hydrocele repair are limited. To address this question we performed long-term followup in patients who underwent unilateral hydrocele repair. Materials and Methods We followed patients who previously underwent unilateral hydrocele repair performed by one of us before 1997. Patients were interviewed by telephone and encouraged to return to one of us or their pediatrician for evaluation. Results Of the 101 patients who fulfilled study inclusion criteria 85 who were 5 to 107 months old (median age 37) at the original surgery were successfully contacted, including 45 examined by one of us or a pediatrician and 40 followed by telephone interview only. Contralateral hydrocele or hernia developed in 6 of the 89 patients (7%) 6 to 15 months (median 12) postoperatively. The remaining 79 patients have been recurrence-free for 6 to 153 months (mean 44, median 37). Of the patients 5 of 32 are (15%) and 1 of 53 (2%) who underwent left and right hydrocele repair, respectively, had contralateral recurrence. Conclusions The risk of a clinically evident contralateral hydrocele or hernia after unilateral hydrocele repair is approximately 7%. We do not recommend routine contralateral exploration in children undergoing unilateral hydrocele repair.

Laparoscopy for the impalpable testis

Use of laparoscopy in the management of the impalpable testis remains controversial. Localization of the testis may help plan or obviate the need for groin exploration. This study reviews the need for inguinal exploration with respect to laparoscopic findings, particularly of vas and vessels entering a closed deep inguinal ring. Case notes of boys undergoing laparoscopy for undescended testes were reviewed retrospectively. Of 86 impalpable testes, 32 were intra-abdominal and ten were absent with intra-abdominal blind ending vas and vessels. In 17 instances the vas and vessels entered an open internal ring and in 26 a closed internal ring. In one boy neither vas, vessels nor testis were visualized. Of the 26 impalpable testes with a closed internal ring, excision of testicular remnants in 18 revealed no histological testicular parenchyma, one boy had bilateral perineal ectopic testes missed clinically and six were not explored. The laparoscopic finding of vas and vessels entering a closed deep inguinal ring should prompt a careful examination for an ectopic testis. If a palpable testis can be ruled out, inguinal exploration is not necessary, as viable testicular parenchyma is rarely found. Laparoscopy would have avoided negative exploration in 42 per cent of impalpable testes in this series.