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

Purpose We evaluated the role of initial laparoscopy and optimized approach in cases of unilateral nonpalpable testis. Methods 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 ≥ 1.8 cm was confirmed in 47 patients. Ultrasound results were available for 35 patients. Results Age ranged from 1 to 10 years. 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 ≥ 1.8 cm. Ultrasound detected the presence of a testis in only 4/11 (36.3%) of patients, although it could not identify vanished testis. Conclusions 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.