Management of an impalpable testis: the role of laparoscopy

The use of laparoscopy through a small infraumbilical incision permits noninvasive exploration of the pelvic fossae. The vas deferens as well as the spermatic vessels can be identified either with the testicle or as a blind ending. Twenty-six laparoscopies were performed on 19 patients with unilateral impalpable testis and 7 with bilateral impalpable testis. In this small series, laparoscopy was found to be the best method of locating the impalpable testis, and, depending on the laparoscopic findings, no further surgery or a simple inguinal exploration or abdominal incision is needed for the management of this condition.